State Representative Zack Hawkins believes in A Better North Carolina — a state where every person has the opportunity to live up to their God-given talents and abilities, from Murphy to Manteo, without discrimination and unnecessary barriers. Zack believes deeply that everyone deserves a chance to contribute to our state, receive a well-funded and affordable education, have access to affordable healthcare, the opportunity to raise a family with a job that pays a living wage, and have a state government they can trust and that serves their best interest. As a native North Carolinian, Zack's commitment and passion for our state runs deep. Zack grew up on a dirt road in Beaufort County, Chocowinity, NC. Since moving to Durham to continue his education, two decades ago, Zack has been an active member of his community, serving as a nonprofit, political and high education leader, and most importantly, serving as a science teacher in the Durham Public School system and now serves as chief development officer for UNC Student Affairs. In November of 2018, he became the youngest person elected to represent Durham in NC House District 31. He has been one of the most productive members in the House with legislative accomplishments such as: ● State and College ID Expansion. While the ID law was in limbo, this bipartisan bill was passed to allow college and work ID to be used as acceptive voting instrument. He also achieved updates to absentee voting law, early voting and return of last Saturday of Early Vote ● Parental leave for State Employees ● Passed amendment to solve innovation waiver crisis for families with intellectual and developmental disabilities ● Leading the fight to diversify the teaching fellow program by HBCU inclusion ● Founded first in the nation, Bipartisan, bicameral HBCU Caucus ● Passed ABC modernization laws