Background
Patsy Keever was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Patsy Keever was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.
She attended North Carolina public schools and graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.
She started graduate work, earning a Master’s Degree in Education from Western Carolina University. They lived in Asheville where they raised two daughters. Keever was a teacher for over 25 years.
Foreign the majority of her career, she taught 8th grade social studies and language arts
Keever served as the president of the local and district chapters of the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). Keever has been active in Asheville and Buncombe County for over 40 years.
She has held leadership positions with numerous community organizations, including CarePartners, Buncombe County Library Board of Trustees, Buncombe County Board of Health, United Way, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Asheville/Buncombe League of Women Voters, and the Chamber of Commerce Legislative Task Force. Buncombe County Board of Commissioners (1992–2004)
She was elected for three consecutive terms.
2004 United States. House campaign
In 2004, Keever ran for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina"s 11th congressional district.
However, she lost the hard-fought election by a margin of 55% – 45% to incumbent Republican Charles H. Taylor. Keever"s campaign received strong support from Democrats in the 11th District and nationally. She also received significant support from national organizations including the National Association for Education, EMILY’s List, International Union of Police Associations, International Association of Firefighters, and the Sierra Club.
North Carolina Legislature (2010–2012)
Keever ran in the 2010 election for the North Carolina House of Representatives in District 115, with the campaign slogan, “putting people first.” She defeated incumbent Doctorate. Bruce Goforth in the May 4 Democratic primary, 60%-40%.
After Goforth resigned before the expiration of his term, local Democrats selected Keever to be appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy. Keever served on the following committees: Agriculture, Appropriations, Appropriations Subcommittee on Justice and Public Safety, Environment, Government, and State Personnel.
2012 United States. House campaign
Keever ran for the United States. House of Representatives in North Carolina"s 10th congressional district in 2012. Keever lost the general election to incumbent Patrick McHenry.
State party leadership
Keever was elected first vice-chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party in 2013.
After incumbent chair Randy Voller declined to run for a second term, Keever was elected party chair in 2015.