Erin Paré

Erin Paré
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 37th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2021
Preceded bySydney Batch
Personal details
Born1979 (age 46–47)
PartyRepublican
EducationGeorge Mason University (BA, MA)

Erin Pauling Paré (born 1978) is a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's 37th House district.

Life and career

Paré grew up in Herndon, Virginia.[1] She has a B.A. in government and international politics and an M.A. in international commerce and policy from George Mason University.[1]

Formerly a cheerleader for the NFL[2] from 2002-2005 she travelled the world performing for deployed Soldiers in South America, Cuba, Europe, and the Middle East. Including performances in active war zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in 2004.[3]

As a government affairs professional[1] in Washington D.C.[4] from 2000 - 2006, Erin specialized in government regulation reform. She led the Regulatory Improvement Council (RIC) which represented industry coalitions, as well as large and small businesses to make common sense changes to regulations.[1]

Erin married her husband Wayne in 2006. During their time together, Erin raised their two children as Wayne deployed to combat in Iraq and Afghanistan eight times as an Infantry Officer in the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 75th Ranger Regiment. As a military spouse for 12 years prior to her husband's retirement, Erin dedicated herself to strengthening military communites and supporting the families of deployed Soldiers.[5] She served as a Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leader for over 120 families during three combat deployments.[1] In 2013, Erin was awarded the "Shield of Sparta Heroine of Infantry" award by the National Infantry Association for her work and dedication to the United States Army.[6]

As a violinist, and strings teacher herself, she is the Founder and President of Holly Strings Youth Orchestra, founded in 2018. This non-profit local youth orchestra located in southern Wake County serves hundreds of children annually, regardless of age or experience level, with world class instructors, free loaner instruments, and exceptional performance opportunities.[7]

Paré and her husband, Wayne, are the owners of Play It Again Sports in Holly Springs, North Carolina[1][4] where she has lived with her family since 2012.[1]

Political career

Paré won the election on November 3, 2020, representing the Republican Party. She secured fifty percent of the vote while her closest rival, Democrat Sydney Batch secured forty-seven percent.[8][9]

Paré raised $224,642[10] in defeating the incumbent Sydney Batch, who raised $1,119,469.[11]

As a mother of two children who have attended Wake County Public Schools since kindergarten and the first grade, Pare' served on the PTA board and as the PTA President for her children's elementary shool for three years.[1] As a member of the General Assembly, she has been an active advocate for public education, ensuring parents have school choice access, and increasing proficiency in K-12 public school math and reading. During her second term in office, 2023-2024, Speaker of the House Tim Moore appointed her as Chair of the House Select Committee on Advancing Women in STEM. This committee increased funding for hands-on STEM learning in public Schools.[1]

Rep. Pare' is a member of the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Caucus, the Life Science Caucus, and the Joint Bipartisan Arts Caucus.[1] Lisa, one of Erin's two sisters, is a special needs adult who was born with Hydrocephalus. Lisa has suffered from life threatening complications her entire life. Based on this experience, Erin has been a consistent advocate for special needs children and adults, and their families, as well as access to affordable healthcare during her entire time in office.[1] In 2026, Paré announced on Facebook and X that she was "considering legislation to regulate what transgender school employees wear in school". In the post, she did not identify the teacher by name, and said she, "had contacted the Wake school system to raise concerns about the teacher’s attire on campus".[12]

During her third term in office, 2025-2026, Rep. Pare' served as a Chair of the Appropriations Committee, as Vice Chair of the Appropriations General Government and Rules Committees, and as a member of the Energy & Public Utilities, Health, Homeland Security & Military & Veterans Affairs, and Transportation Committees.[13]

Paré voted to allow veterans who served in the military for at least 20 years to be exempt from North Carolina income tax on their military retirement pay. The bill passed by a vote of 100 to 5.[14]

During her third term (2025-2026), Erin has been named a "Jobs Champion" by the members of the NC Chamber of Commerce, a "Firefighter's Friend" by the NC State Firefighter's Associatoin, and as a "Defender of Public Safety" by the North Carolina Sheriff's Association. She has also been awarded the "Leadership Excellence Award" from the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association, and the "2025 Advocate of School Psychology Award" from the Associatoin of School Psychologists.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "About Erin". Erin Pare for NC House. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  2. ↑ Doran, Will (December 2, 2025). "Democratic primary heats up to take on one of Wake County's few GOP lawmakers". WRAL. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  3. ↑ "46 Washington redskins cheerleaders Images: PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search Engine Public Domain Search". PICRYL - Public Domain Media Search Engine. Retrieved August 26, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Brown, Ben (December 3, 2025). "Ensemble of Skills: Rep. Erin Paré's Many Roles Shape Sense of Service". Southern City Magazine. Vol. 75, no. 4. North Carolina League of Municipalities. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  5. ↑ Paré, Rep Erin. "Rep. Erin Paré". Rep. Erin Paré. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Shield of Sparta". NATIONAL INFANTRY ASSOCIATION. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  7. ↑ Orchestra, Holly Strings Youth. "Instrument Loaner Program and Sibling Discount Available". Instrument Loaner Program and Sibling Discount Available. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
  8. ↑ Staff, North State Journal (November 3, 2020). "Erin Paré wins in NC House District 37".
  9. ↑ "North Carolina State House - District 37 Election Results |". USA Today. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Erin Paré". Ballotpedia.
  11. ↑ "Sydney Batch". Ballotpedia.
  12. ↑ "NC GOP lawmaker considering legislation to restrict attire for trans teachers".
  13. ↑ "Committees - North Carolina General Assembly". ncleg.gov. Retrieved August 27, 2026.
  14. ↑ Masters, Julia. "Eastern NC veterans could see more money in their pockets, tax exemption bill in NC Senate". New Bern Sun Journal. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
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