Ernestine Bazemore
Ernestine Bazemore | |
|---|---|
 Bazemore in 2021 | |
| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 3rd district | |
| In office January 1, 2021 – January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Erica Smith |
| Succeeded by | Bobby Hanig |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1958 or 1959 |
| Died | (aged 66) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Mount Olive |
Ernestine "Byrd" Bazemore (1958 or 1959 – October 9, 2025) was an American politician in the state of North Carolina.
Early life and education
[edit]Bazemore graduated from Bertie High School in 1977. Bazemore earned a bachelor's of science degree in criminal justice and criminology from the University of Mount Olive.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Bazemore served as an educator.[3] In 2014, Bazemore was first elected to the Bertie County Commissioner. She served as vice chair of the commission from 2016 to 2017, and as chair in 2018.[2] On November 3, 2020, Bazemore won a close election against Republican nominee Thomas Hester Jr. for the North Carolina Senate seat represented the 3rd district.[4] She won 52% of the vote. She assumed office on January 1, 2021.[5] In early January 2021, Bazemore was appointed to three legislative committees: the State and Local Government committee, the Appropriations on General Government Committee, and the Pensions Committee.[6]
Bazemore was defeated in the Democratic primary for re-election in 2022.[5]
Personal life and death
[edit]Bazemore lived in Windsor, North Carolina.[4] She had three children.[2]
Bazemore died October 9, 2025, at the age of 66.[7][1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Layton, Miles (October 12, 2025). "Former State Senator Ernestine "Byrd" Bazemore Remembered for a Lifetime of Service, Leadership, and Faith". Albemarle Observer. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Commissioner Ernestine Byrd Bazemore". Bertie County, North Carolina. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ "Bertie incumbents, one 'newcomer' win". Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Incumbents sweep region's NC House seats". Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Ernestine Bazemore". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ "Sen. Bazemore assigned to committees". Bertie Ledger-Advance. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ Cardoso, Alberto (October 10, 2025). "Honorable Ernestine Bazemore's legacy of service and advocacy remembered by Bertie County". WJRT-TV. Retrieved October 25, 2025.
- 1950s births
- 2025 deaths
- 21st-century African-American women politicians
- African-American state legislators in North Carolina
- County commissioners in North Carolina
- Educators from North Carolina
- Democratic Party North Carolina state senators
- People from Windsor, North Carolina
- University of Mount Olive alumni
- Women state legislators in North Carolina
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly