Meet Carla
Representative Carla Cunningham
NC House District 106
Representative Carla Cunningham has proudly represented the 106th District in the North Carolina House of Representatives since 2013. Before entering the North Carolina General Assembly, Carla worked as a Hospice Nurse and served on the North Carolina Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.
A passionate and dedicated advocate for healthcare, mental health, women’s and children’s rights, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse, Carla is widely recognized for her leadership in improving the quality of life for North Carolinians.
Legislative career and policy priorities
Since being elected to the General Assembly, Cunningham has focused her legislative efforts on improving healthcare access, healthcare affordability, health and substance use services, supporting children and families, and strengthening community nonprofit and educational supports.
Some of her key achievements include
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Championing the expansion of Medicaid in North Carolina: After more than a decade of her tireless advocacy, the state budget included Medicaid expansion benefiting an estimated 600,000 people previously without coverage.
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Securing funding for local nonprofits and community organizations: She played a critical role in the 2023 budget process and secured ~$14 million for nonprofits across her district and other North Carolina communities.
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Sponsoring legislation to address school lunch debt (HB 509) and local jail conditions (HB 380) by negotiating for additional inspectors and reducing burdens on families.
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Introducing bills on youth mental-health first aid, student lifeline supports and local land-use reform.
Cunningham serves on several key legislative committees, including Appropriations, Health, where she has held the role of Vice Chair, and Energy & Public Utilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she chaired the Select Committee on COVID-19 Health Care Working Group, helping guide the state’s response to critical public health challenges.
Beyond her legislative duties, Cunningham has been an active member of various state advisory bodies, including the NC Minority Health Advisory Council and the NC Council on Sickle Cell Syndrome. She currently serves on the NC Child Fatality Task Force, the State Health Coordinating Council (SHCC), and is a Co-Chair of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services (JLOC).
Healthcare and Education Background
With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, Carla’s nursing career spans a variety of specialties, including:
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Intensive Care
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Coronary Care
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Medical-Surgical
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Neurology
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Pediatrics
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Geriatrics
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Home Health
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Industrial Nursing
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Nursing Education
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Nursing Management
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Hospice Nursing
Her commitment to healthcare and public service is rooted in her early education:
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2009 – Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Winston-Salem State University
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1996 – Associate of Applied Science Degree, Gaston College
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1981 – Licensed Practical Nurse Diploma, Central Piedmont Community College
Leadership Roles
Rep. Cunningham has held several leadership positions in the legislature, including:
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Chair, Democratic House Women’s Caucus
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Co-Chair, Democratic House Caucus Women’s Issues Work Group
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House Democratic Caucus Whip (2018-2020)
Personal Life
Carla is the widow of the Honorable William “Pete” Cunningham, a former legislator, and the proud mother of Kamesha and Kyle. She is also a grandmother to Janiya, Sade, Roman, and a great-grandmother to Carson and Soul.
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