Elaine Marshall

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on May 30, 2007 - 1:01pm.
Tags:

Office District Status
Secretary of State Statewide Incumbent
Party In Office Since Term Ends
Democrat 1996 2012
Level of Government  
Council of State  
Date of Birth Birthplace Now Lives In
November 18, 1945 Lineboro, MD Lillington, NC

Synopsis

Marshall was the first woman elected to a statewide executive office in North Carolina. In 1992, she was elected to the N.C. Senate. Four years later, she beat Nascar legend Richard Petty to become secretary of state. She was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2008. In office, she has focused on putting state documents online and making the office more tech-friendly. In 2002, she unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for U.S. senator. With the retirement of Insurance Commissioner Jim Long in 2008, she became the longest-serving current member of the Council of State.

Trivia

She is a longtime 4-H volunteer. 

Endorsements

Biography

Marital Status
Married
Spouse
Bill Holdford
Children
Stepchildren Beth, Richard, Peggy, Julia and Andrea

Elaine Marshall is the Secretary of State, the first woman elected to a statewide office in North Carolina and the longest-serving current member of the Council of State.

Early Life and Education

Elaine Folk Marshall was born Nov. 18, 1945, in Lineboro, Maryland. She graduated from North Carroll High School in Greenmount, Maryland.

In 1968, Marshall earned a bachelor of science in textiles from the University of Maryland. After college, she moved to North Carolina.

She earned a law degree from Campbell University in 1981.

Family

Marshall is married to Bill Holdford and has five stepchildren, Beth, Richard, Peggy, Julia and Andrea.

Professional Career

After college, Marshall worked as a high school teacher for the Lenoir County School System and an instructor at Lenoir Community College and Johnston Tech.

From 1975 to 1979, she owned a fabric and decorating shop called The Custom House in Dunn.

After earning her law degree, Marshall did general practice and trial work at the Bain and Marshall Law Firm from 1985 to 1992. The firm was renamed the Marshall and Marshall Law Firm when she was made partner in 1993. She worked there until 1997.

Political Career 

In 1992, Marshall was elected to the state Senate.

In office, she helped push for passage of a bill to abolish the spousal defense for rape. She was also a primary sponsor of a bill to provide for direct reimbursement for clinical social workers.

In 1996, she beat Nascar legend Richard Petty to become secretary of state. She was re-elected in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

In office, she has focused on putting state documents online and making the office more tech-friendly. In 2002, she unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic nomination for U.S. senator.

With the retirement of Insurance Commissioner Jim Long in 2008, she became the longest-serving current member of the Council of State.

Research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith. 

Occupation

Attorney





Community Involvement:
Not specified.

Contact Info



Education

bachelor of science
University of Maryland
Graduated: 1968		 juris doctorate
Campbell University
Graduated: 1981

Military

Not specified.

Links

http://www.sosnc.com/sosbio.htm


http://www.elainemarshall.org/





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