Anna Ferguson

Political Party: Republican

District: North Carolina House District 119

Appointed: April 16, 2026

Anna Ferguson is a Western North Carolina businesswoman and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians . She was born and raised in the Qualla Community, located between Whittier and Cherokee, and is the third generation to live on her family farm. Ferguson's roots run deep in the region, with family ties stretching back generations to Haywood County.

Ferguson was selected as the Republican nominee for House District 119 following the passing of longtime Representative Mike Clampitt in March 2026. She is the first enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to serve in the North Carolina House. District 119 encompasses Jackson, Swain, and Transylvania counties, as well as the Qualla Boundary.

Education

Ferguson earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from North Carolina State University.

Political Experience

Ferguson has over 30 years of experience working in construction finance. Her professional background also includes entrepreneurship—she and her sister opened a retail store in Cherokee under a family brand and later expanded into short-term rental management, gaining firsthand experience with payroll, regulation, and the challenges of a tourism-driven economy.

Prior to her appointment to the House, Ferguson served in tribal government, including positions on the EBCI Governing Board of Audit and Ethics and the Eastern Band of Cherokees Planning Board.

Ferguson's policy priorities include balancing the state budget, Medicaid funding, and public education. She will serve the remainder of Clampitt's term and will appear on the ballot in November 2026, facing Democratic nominee Mark Burrows.