Introduction
Anthony "Tony" Foriest was a Democratic member of the North Carolina Senate, representing the 24th district, where he served two terms.
Early life, education, and early career
Foriest was born and raised in Graham, North Carolina. He graduated from Central (currently called Graham) High School earned his BA in Economics from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. He went on to receive his MBA from Elon University.
Foriest served in the United States Army. He was Executive of the Xerox Corporation from 1977 to 1999.
He was a two-term Chairman of the Alamance County Democracy Party.
North Carolina Senate
Elections
- 2004
He decided to challenge incumbent Republican State Senator Hugh Webster and lost 58%-42%.
- 2006
He filed for rematch against Webster and defeated him 51%-49%, a difference of just 460 votes.
- 2008
He won re-election to a second term defeating Republican Richard Gunn 53%-47%.
- 2010
Gunn filed for a rematch and defeated Foriest 53%-42%.
Committee assignments
- Appropriations/Base Budget Committee (Co-Chairman)
- Commerce Committee
- Education Committee (Vice Chairman)
- Finance Committee
- Health Care Committee (Vice-Chairman)
- Pensions, Retirement, & Aging Committee (Chairman)
- "NC State Senate 24 Race - Nov 02, 2004". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
- "NC State Senate 24 Race - Nov 07, 2006". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
- "NC State Senate 24 Race - Nov 04, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
- "NC State Senate 24 Race - Nov 02, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
- "Legislative Update September 2010" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-03-02.
- "Tony Foriest". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
2012 congressional election
In March 2012, Foriest filed to run in the newly redrawn North Carolina's 6th congressional district, held by Republican U.S. Congressman Howard Coble. Foriest was unopposed in the primary and was the Democratic nominee.
Personal life
Foriest is married to Clara Foriest. He has two children, Pamela and Brian, and one grandson, Trey.