Re-elected in 2024 to her fifth term, Rep. Cynthia Ball continues to work for the citizens of North Carolina by advocating for progressive public policies to build a North Carolina that works for ALL. She is committed to providing responsive constituent services and to finding common ground on policies to benefit the residents of House District 49 and all of NC.
Demonstrating her commitment to strengthening public education in North Carolina, she visits schools and regularly participates in opportunities to interact with students, teachers and principals. She connects with and listens to her constituents on important issues through regular meetings in her office and district gatherings.
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In the current 2025-26 Session, Rep. Ball has continued to sponsor important pieces of legislation. These bills focus on improving the funding for public education, building the teacher pipeline, improving the community responses to mental health crises, protecting the vote and democracy, and improving mental health and healthcare services.
She has served in key House Leadership roles since her first term – In her first term as Freshman Democratic Chair; in her second term as Democratic Whip; in her third as Co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Campaign; and in her fourth term as Democratic Conference Chair, leading the Caucus programs to elect more House Democrats. Continuing the progression of her leadership roles, she currently serves as Deputy Leader of the House Democrats. These roles have all recognized her leadership skills and commitment to working for the future of NC and demonstrated the respect and confidence of her colleagues.
Among many recognitions for her work in the legislature and the community, Rep. Ball was honored in 2025 by the NC New Teacher Support Program and the West Raleigh Alliance for her valued assistance. She was named Representative of the Year in 2022 by the NC League of Conservation Voters, after previously being recognized in her second term as one of their Rising Stars. These distinctions recognize her community leadership and her advocacy for public education and for economic development and environmental protection. She is proud to have earned a wide range of endorsements from various groups and organizations who
acknowledge her commitment to service and dedication to issues of importance for our State.
Born in Franklin County, her parents instilled in her the importance of family, hard work and public education. She graduated as valedictorian of her public school in Franklinton and then went on to UNC-Greensboro on a full academic scholarship, earning a BA in Psychology, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Rep. Ball also earned an MBA at Virginia Commonwealth University and completed ABD doctoral coursework in Human Resources and Organizational Development at NC State University.
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After working in marketing research following her MBA, she joined William Peace
University (formerly Peace College) and then NC State University, directing their
Development and External Affairs programs. She also served as the Executive Director of two of NC State University’s foundations. She is now practicing as a mediator, certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.
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In her fourth term on the City of Raleigh Civil Service Commission, Rep. Ball also serves on the Boards of the Kiwanis Club of Raleigh, WomenNC, and the West Raleigh Alliance. She is also an advisor to the NC New Teacher Support Program, the North Carolina Voter Project, and Preservation Raleigh. With other members of Community United Church of Christ in Raleigh, she serves on the “Do Justice Ministry” and advocates for social and economic justice.
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Rep. Ball and her husband Dr. David E. Aspnes, Distinguished University Professor of Physics (ret.) at NC State University, live in a National Register of Historic Places and Raleigh Historic Landmark mid-century modern home in central Raleigh. Rep. Ball comes from a close family, and with David, she shares 3 stepchildren and 6 step grandchildren. Advocates for animal rescue and welfare, they have adopted numerous cats and dogs over the years and they share their home with them with great joy.