Lynne Eriika Russo

Lynne Eriika Russo is the Democratic candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives in District 117 in the 2026 general election, with the primary cancelled and her name placed on the November 3 ballot alongside incumbent Republican Rep. Jennifer Balkcom ¹. Russo describes herself as a communications consultant and community advocate who lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a region she says she has deep family ties to through her grandparents who met in the state while her grandfather served in the Navy ⁸.

Her professional background is rooted in nonprofit fundraising and strategic communications. Over the course of her career she has helped national nonprofits raise millions of dollars and craft human‑centered stories that drive change, working with organizations such as The Education Trust, the Milken Family Foundation, and the Prostate Cancer Foundation ⁸¹⁹. This experience has shaped her focus on amplifying the voices of overlooked communities and securing funding for public‑policy initiatives.

Russo’s recent public service emerged after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina in 2024. She mobilized supplies, organized volunteer efforts, and secured media attention for Appalachian families, becoming a vocal advocate for long‑term recovery funding for the region ⁸¹⁹¹⁰. She has repeatedly called for additional federal aid, noting that the state’s $2 billion allocation has left many small‑business owners and rural residents without the support they need ¹⁹¹⁰.

Her campaign platform centers on four main pillars: fully funding public schools and modernizing facilities damaged by the hurricane; accelerating disaster‑relief and rural‑recovery programs; expanding affordable health care and child‑nutrition services; and supporting veterans, farmers, and small‑business owners across the district ¹¹⁹. Russo argues that North Carolina’s low rankings in teacher pay and school funding (43rd overall, 39th in starting salary) require decisive investment to stop chronic staffing shortages and improve student outcomes ¹. She also opposes the diversion of $1.3 billion in state funds to private‑school vouchers, pledging to keep resources in the public‑school system ¹.

In addition to policy proposals, Russo emphasizes a hands‑on, non‑partisan approach to governance, promising to “roll up her sleeves” and deliver tangible results rather than partisan rhetoric ¹¹⁹. Her campaign slogan, “Fighting for YOU,” reflects this commitment to direct action for the people of District 117. Voters can learn more, donate, or volunteer through her campaign website, www.lynnerussofornc.com ⁷.

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