Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Jen Wiles, North Carolina General Assembly District 75
Jen Wiles (she/her) is very committed to service. A healthcare clinician, this millennial mom of two also volunteers in public schools and with the unhoused community and is active in local organizations Forsyth Dem Women, Camel City United Indivisible, and Fuerza Triad. Jen’s platform rests on the basic foundations of increased affordable healthcare, universal Pre-K, a $15 minimum wage, and increased taxes on corporations, millionaires and billionaires who currently enjoy some of the lowest tax rates in this country, including in North Carolina.
Where are you based?
I’m based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
What position are you running for?
I’m running to represent House District 75 in the North Carolina General Assembly.
How would you briefly summarize your platform?
My campaign is centered on building an economy that works for working people, strengthening our public schools, and making healthcare more accessible and affordable. I also believe deeply in investing in our communities—from safe neighborhoods to affordable housing—so that every family has a real chance to thrive, no matter their zip code.
What inspired you to run?
Honestly, it started with a simple realization: no one else was going to run. I couldn’t watch such an important seat go uncontested. I didn’t grow up around power—I grew up around hardworking people who rarely felt represented by it. My upbringing, my family’s struggles, and the people I meet every day in this community are what ultimately pushed me to step up and run.
What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
I want people to feel like the government is actually working for them again. Too many decisions are made by and for powerful interests instead of everyday people. I’m running to bring more accountability, transparency, and community-centered leadership to the table—and to make sure working families have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
The biggest accomplishment so far has been building a truly grassroots campaign. We’re proving that a people-powered movement—supported by small donors, volunteers, and neighbors—can take on entrenched power. Seeing so many people step up to knock doors, make calls, and support this campaign reminds me every day why this work matters.
What do you feel are the most important issues right now, why, and how do you plan to tackle them?
Right now, families are feeling squeezed from every direction—housing costs are rising, healthcare is expensive, and many public schools are struggling with funding and resources. At the same time, corporate interests often have outsized influence in policy making.
My focus is on policies that put working families first: investing in strong public schools, expanding access to healthcare and mental health services, addressing the housing crisis, and ensuring that our economic policies actually benefit the people doing the work that keeps our communities running. You can find out more on my website at jenwilesnchouse.com/peoplepoweredplan.
America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
I think a lot of division exists because people feel unheard. One of the most important parts of leadership is showing up—listening to people even when you disagree with them. When you focus on real issues that affect everyday lives—good schools, safe communities, affordable healthcare—you often find there’s more common ground than people expect.
How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
My background gives me a perspective that isn’t always represented in government. I grew up in a working-class family, raised mostly by a single mom, and saw firsthand how hard people work just to stay afloat. Those experiences shape how I approach policy and leadership. They remind me who the government is supposed to work for—and who it too often leaves behind. As a current single mom of two kids, marrying a Veteran in a few months, I want to see a government that works for people like my family and me. I want to represent the real people, working hard in my district.
What is your motto in life?
I can do hard things.
Where can we find out more about you?
jenwilesnchouse.com or follow @jenwilesnchouse on all social media
Facebook: @jenwilesnchouse
TikTok: @jenwilesnchouse
Instagram: @jenwilesnchouse
