Julie Virginia Mayfield is a Democratic member of the North Carolina Senate representing District 49 . She serves as Senate Democratic Caucus Secretary and has completed three terms in the Senate since her first election in 2020. A practical progressive and attorney, she is known for advocating reproductive healthcare, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental protection, clean renewable energy, affordable housing, gun control, community health, local government control, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Education and Political Experience

• Early background: Born and raised in Atlanta with deep family roots in Western North Carolina .
• Professional career: Returned to North Carolina in 2008 as executive director of Western North Carolina Alliance , growing it from 5 to over 20 staff; led efforts on public lands protection, E. coli monitoring in watersheds, I-26 Connector alternatives, Duke Energy coal ash cleanup and plant retirement, and securing environmental funding.
• Political roles:
  • Elected to Asheville City Council in 2015; chaired committees on affordable housing and planning, advocating for housing tools and growth management.
  • Announced Senate candidacy in 2019; won Democratic primary and general election ; sworn in January 1, 2021.
  • Current committees: Appropriations on Agriculture, Natural and Economic Resources; State and Local Government; Transportation.
• Board and community service: Chaired North Carolina Conservation Network board; served on WNC ACLU chapter board, HUB Alliance executive committee, WNC Nonprofit Pathways Advisory Committee; 2014 Leadership Asheville graduate.