I was an Army “brat” so I grew up all over the world but my home was always here in our District. No matter where my father, Robert Hattler, Lt. Colonel, USA (Ret.), was stationed, we came home in the summer to my grandparent’s farm near Swann Station on the Lee/Harnett county line. I cherish the times I spent at my grandfather’s country store in Olivia listening to the local farmers “hold court”. I admired my grandfather, Wade Thomas, and his remarkable work ethic. He worked from sunup until sundown and beyond, managing both his country store and his farm, where he raised tobacco, corn, and wonderful vegetables for his family and friends. I learned about hard work, character and sacrifice from him and my grandmother Daisy. I watched my grandparents treat every person who came into the store, regardless of their circumstances, with dignity and respect. I watched them extend credit to help their customers through the lean times and bad harvests. This made a significant impression on me as a child and I am grateful for the experience.

When my father retired from the Army, we settled in Sanford and I attended East Lee Middle School, and Lee Senior. I obtained my high school diploma with Honors at Millbrook High in Raleigh in 1985. At 17, I was accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There I obtained a degree in political science in 3 and 1/2 years, graduating Phi Beta Kappa in 1988. In 1997 I received my law degree with honors from UNC.

It was during college I met and married my husband Jeffrey Taber and joined him as he was deployed around the world as a US Marine Officer. While in Japan and San Diego, I worked for the American Red Cross providing assistance to our active duty military. I enjoyed the challenges of meeting and making friends all over the world. Living in Japan and not being able to read or understand the language gave me insight into the struggles of those who face such challenges daily in our community.

It was while my husband and I were stationed in San Diego that our family lost a loved one to violent crime. We were impressed with the commitment and professionalism of everyone involved as our case worked its way through the system. The investigator called faithfully to keep us up to date. The prosecutors and judges listened to us, considered our point of view, and treated us with compassion and dignity. I promised myself that if I was ever in a position to work in the justice system, I would uphold this high standard. My husband and I committed ourselves to public service. He became a police officer and is now a veteran Sergeant with 15 years of service with the Raleigh Police Department. I enrolled in law school and became one of the top prosecutors in the state of North Carolina.

I hold the public trust to be sacred, and pledge to honor those who have helped form my character. If elected, I will do this by serving as your judge with integrity, compassion, and strength.

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