Sam Watford is a member of the Republican Party and a representative for the North Carolina House of Representatives, specifically representing District 80. He assumed office on January 1, 2021, and his current term is set to end on January 1, 2025. Watford is running for re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives to represent District 80 and is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Watford graduated from East Davidson High School in 1971 and has since built a career as an underground utility contractor. He is currently serving his third term as Davidson County Commissioner and has served on Davidson County Planning and Zoning Board. Watford is married to Karen Hege Watford, a retired teacher, and has two daughters, Morgan and Jordan.
In terms of legislative work, Watford has been assigned to several committees during his tenure. For the 2023-2024 session, he was assigned to the Agriculture Committee, Energy and Public Utilities Committee, House Finance Committee, Health Committee, Local Government Committee (as Chair), and Local Government - Land Use, Planning and Development Committee.
In the 2021-2022 session, Watford was assigned to the Energy and Public Utilities Committee (as Vice chair), Local Government Committee (as Co-Chair), House Finance Committee, Health Committee, Agriculture Committee, State Government Committee (as Vice chair), and House Transportation Committee.
During the 2017 legislative session, Watford served on the Appropriations, Appropriations on Transportation, Education - Community Colleges, Elections and Ethics Law, Energy and Public Utilities (as Chair), Homelessness, Foster Care, and Dependency, Regulatory Reform (as Vice chair), University Board of Governors Nominating, and State and Local Government II committees.
As of the 2020 Census, North Carolina state representatives represented an average of 87,116 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 79,715 residents. North Carolina House of Representatives District 80 is represented by Sam Watford (R).
