Representative James Roberson

James Roberson is a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 39 in Wake County. He was appointed to this position by Governor Roy Cooper in January 2021, following Representative Darren Jackson's appointment to the N.C. Court of Appeals. Roberson is originally from Wilson, North Carolina.

Throughout his career, Roberson has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service and civic engagement. His interest in public service was shaped early by his mother's voter registration efforts, which instilled in him the importance of citizen engagement and community commitment.

Education

Roberson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Shaw University and a Master of Library Science degree from North Carolina Central University. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated. He is a graduate of Hunt High School.

Political Experience

Local Government Service

Roberson served in local government for eight years before his appointment to the state legislature. He was elected to the Knightdale Town Council in 2007, where he served two consecutive terms as Councilor. In 2015, he was elected Mayor of Knightdale and was re-elected in 2019, serving until 2021. During his tenure as mayor, he accomplished numerous initiatives supporting education, economic growth, public safety, and community issues.

Educational Career

Before his legislative appointment, Roberson had a 31-year career with Wake Technical Community College. He retired in 2021 as Senior Dean and Chief Campus Officer of the Western Wake Campus, where he worked to expand access to higher education and workforce development opportunities.

Current Legislative Work

In the North Carolina House, Roberson serves on multiple committees including Appropriations, Education-Community Colleges, Insurance, Local Government, Pension and Retirement, and Transportation. His legislative priorities focus on education, economic development, and policies supporting working families, including investments in public schools, affordable housing, and small business growth.