Verla C. Insko

Verla Clemens Insko (born February 5, 1936) is a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. Insko has represented the 56th district (including constituents in Orange County) since 1997.^[4] She is a retired health program administrator from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Insko also previously served as a member of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education from 1977 to 1985 and on the Orange County Board of Commissioners from 1990 to 1994. She has been noted for her progressive policy positions, such as her support for publicly funded universal health care, and stated in a candidate questionnaire, "I believe in an activist government that provides for the common good and protects the vulnerable". On September 15, 2021 Insko announced that she wouldn't seek re-election to the NC House in 2022.^[5]

Representative Verla Insko
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
In office January 1, 1997 – May 31, 2022[1]
Preceded by	Anne Craig Barnes
Succeeded by	Allen Buansi[2][3]
Constituency	24th District (1997-2003) 56th District (2003-2022)
Personal details
Born	(1936-02-05) February 5, 1936 (age 89) Decatur, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Chester
Children	2
Residence	Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Alma mater	Fresno State College (BA) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (MPA)
Occupation	Retired health program administrator
Website	https://verlainsko.com/

Committee assignments

^[6]

2021-2022 session

• Appropriations
• Appropriations - Health and Human Services
• Health (Vice Chair)
• Education - Universities
• Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform
• Environment
• Ethics

2019-2020 session

• Appropriations
• Appropriations - Health and Human Services
• Health
• Education - Universities
• Environment
• Ethics
• Homelessness, Foster Care, and Dependency

2017-2018 session

• Appropriations
• Appropriations - Health and Human Services
• Health
• Education - Universities
• Homelessness, Foster Care, and Dependency
• Insurance

2015-2016 session

• Appropriations
• Appropriations - Health and Human Services (Vice Chair)
• Health
• Education - Community Colleges
• Environment
• Insurance
• Judiciary III
• State Personnel

2013-2014 session

• Appropriations
• Environment
• Health and Human Services
• Insurance
• Judiciary

2011-2012 session

• Appropriations
• Environment
• Health and Human Services
• Insurance
• Judiciary

2009-2010 session

• Appropriations
• Health
• Education
• Environment and Natural Resources
• Judiciary I
• Mental Health Reform
• Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

Electoral history

2020

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district Democratic primary election, 2020^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	20,389	85.64%
	Democratic	Joe Parrish	3,418	14.36%
Total votes			23,807	100%

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2020^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	38,428	100%
Total votes			38,428	100%
	Democratic hold

2018

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2018^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	32,286	86.15%
	Republican	Marcus Cooke	4,235	11.30%
	Libertarian	Matthew P. Clements	955	2.55%
Total votes			37,476	100%
	Democratic hold

2016

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2016^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	43,144	100%
Total votes			43,144	100%
	Democratic hold

2014

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2014^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	25,601	81.19%
	Republican	David (Dave) Pratt Carter	5,932	18.81%
Total votes			31,533	100%
	Democratic hold

2012

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2012^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	35,173	77.44%
	Republican	Karrie Mead	10,248	22.56%
Total votes			45,421	100%
	Democratic hold

2010

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2010^[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	17,737	100%
Total votes			17,737	100%
	Democratic hold

2008

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2008^[14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	30,835	100%
Total votes			30,835	100%
	Democratic hold

2006

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2006^[15]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	14,472	100%
Total votes			14,472	100%
	Democratic hold

2004

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2004^[16]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	25,984	100%
Total votes			25,984	100%
	Democratic hold

2002

North Carolina House of Representatives 56th district general election, 2002^[17]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	15,805	79.98%
	Libertarian	Will Shooter	3,957	20.02%
Total votes			19,762	100%
	Democratic hold

2000

North Carolina House of Representatives 24th district general election, 2000^[18]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joe Hackney (incumbent)	41,133	33.73%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	38,944	31.93%
	Republican	William Towne	19,928	16.34%
	Republican	Rod Chaney	19,281	15.81%
	Libertarian	John H. Bauman	2,672	2.19%
Total votes			121,958	100%
	Democratic hold
	Democratic hold

1998

North Carolina House of Representatives 24th district general election, 1998^[19]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Joe Hackney (incumbent)	32,828	52.63%
	Democratic	Verla Insko (incumbent)	29,549	47.37%
Total votes			62,377	100%
	Democratic hold
	Democratic hold