A Winston-Salem city councilwoman is making an early announcement that she's running for Congress in 2018. Denise “D.D.” Adams says she'll try to win the seat now held by Republican Virginia Foxx.
Adams, a Winston-Salem native, was first elected to the city council in 2009. She is vice-chair of the city's finance committee and the community development/housing/general government committee.
Foxx has never been seriously challenged since winning her seat in 2004. Adams though may be one of the most politically experienced Democrats to run during Foxx' tenure. Aside from Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School Board member Elisabeth Motsinger in 2012, most of Foxx' opponents have been relative political newcomers.
The district leans Republican, and Foxx' seat has so far been safe. She won her last three elections with almost 60 percent of the vote or more. She has also easily beaten back challengers from within her own party in the last two primaries.
Foxx was recently named chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee.
Adams' seat on the city council is not up for election in 2018, and she says she'll continue to serve during the campaign.