Diane earned an associate's degree in nursing at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Diane married Al, and together they have raised 3 children.

Diane is a registered nurse who has worked at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Orange Memorial Hospital, and the Fayetteville Children’s Clinic. She has also served on the Cape Fear Valley Hospital Board of Directors. Alongside her husband, she worked in government-contract work specializing in transportation operations on military bases in the southeast for over 30 years. Additionally, Diane remains active as a medical missionary, serving with medical teams in various countries.

North Carolina General Assembly, Diane Wheatley

Diane Wheatley was previously a member of the Cumberland County Board of Education. She was elected in 1994 and served 3 terms until 2002. She served as Chair during her first term and chaired the Facilities Committee the following year. In 2004, she was elected as a county commissioner and served 1 term until 2008. She ran in the 2012 election for state representative of District 45, but did not win. She was then elected in 2020 as a state representative in District 43. She chairs the Pension and Retirement Committee, and vice chairs the Education - K-12 and Education - Community Colleges Committees.

Candidate website

Believes in fiscal responsibility and opposes tax increases, supporting policies that promote economic growth and job creation.

As a House Representative, returned over $400 million in taxpayer dollars to Cumberland County, benefiting local communities and education systems. Plans to ensure tax dollars are properly invested in the district.

As a state representative, returned over $400 million in taxpayer dollars to Cumberland County, benefiting local communities and education systems. 

- Believes in fiscal responsibility and opposes tax increases, supporting policies that promote economic growth and job creation.
- As a state representative, returned over $400 million in taxpayer dollars to Cumberland County, benefiting local communities and education systems. 

Economy

As of June 15, 2025, Diane Wheatley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Believes in lowering healthcare costs through free-market solutions and reducing government mandates. Supports expanding the competitive healthcare marketplace and innovative cost-control measures.

Believes in lowering healthcare costs through free-market solutions and reducing government mandates. 

Supports expanding the competitive healthcare marketplace and innovative cost-control measures.

- Believes in lowering healthcare costs through free-market solutions and reducing government mandates. 
- Supports expanding the competitive healthcare marketplace and innovative cost-control measures.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports law enforcement and school resource officers (SROs) to ensure community and school safety. Said, "Ensuring our communities are safe for citizens – especially our children – is my top priority."

Supports law enforcement and school resource officers (SROs) to ensure community and school safety. 

- Supports law enforcement and school resource officers (SROs) to ensure community and school safety. 

Public Safety

Supports strong North Carolina schools, rewarding teachers, and empowering families to choose the best educational options. As a legislator, advocated for Fayetteville State University to join the NC Promise Program, securing $44 million for various campus improvements.

As a state representative, advocated for Fayetteville State University to join the NC Promise Program, securing $44 million for various campus improvements.

- As a state representative, advocated for Fayetteville State University to join the NC Promise Program, securing $44 million for various campus improvements.

Education

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Diane Wheatley

Janene was born in Maryland. She attended Prince George's Community College and holds a degree in computer science from Strayer University. She has 4 children.

LinkedIn

Janene works as a business owner and grant writer. 

Ballotpedia, Janene Ackles

Janene Dublin Ackles ran for member of the Fayetteville City Council in District 2 in 2019, but she did not win. 

Supports diversifying industries, upgrading infrastructure, aligning education with industry needs, offering tax incentives, promoting tourism, and assisting underserved Black/Brown farmers.

Supports efforts to assist "underserved Black/Brown farmers."

Supports improving the rural economy and creating more jobs.

- Supports efforts to assist "underserved Black/Brown farmers."
- Wants to enhance the rural economy. 
- Wants to create jobs.

Believes in maintaining a "CLEAN ENVIRONMENT: Air, Soil, and Water."

Supports measures to protect the environment. 

- Supports measures to protect the environment. 

Believes every woman should have the right to decide her healthcare without government interference and supports equal healthcare access for all women regardless of economic status, ethnicity, or race.

Believes in championing inclusive healthcare rights, particularly for marginalized individuals, and addressing health disparities. Supports reducing infant mortality rates and ensuring healthcare accessibility for all.

Supports inclusive healthcare rights, especially for women and marginalized groups. 

Believes in "HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL," including access to abortion, medical marijuana, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Supports public health initiatives and effective COVID-19 responses.

- Supports abortion access.
- Supports inclusive healthcare rights, especially for women and marginalized groups. 
- Supports accessible healthcare for all. 

As of June 15, 2025, Janene (Dublin) Ackles’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "Holistic Advocacy for Special and Vulnerable Communities: Advocating for special and vulnerable communities, disabled citizens, our un-housed population, Veterans, senior citizens, and ensuring safety within our communities. We must provide rural sustainability and safeguard residential areas from harmful environmental impacts. It's a comprehensive approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of various issues and the need for holistic solutions. Comprehensive Community Advocacy is OUR FIGHT!"

Plans to advocate for "Special and Vulnerable Communities..."  including disabled, homeless, veteran, and senior populations. 

- Plans to advocate for "Special and Vulnerable Communities..."  including disabled, homeless, veteran, and senior populations. 

Believes public education is essential for societal development and supports comprehensive reforms for equitable access and quality. Plans to “ensure fair compensation for teachers,” revisit voucher programs, increase public education investments, and fund rural and underserved schools.

Wants to invest more in public education. 

Believes in addressing the lack of recreational facilities and services for rural youth to prevent juvenile delinquency. Plans to “create and enhance recreational facilities, foster partnerships with non-profit organizations, and optimize school services.”

Wants to expand opportunities for youth in rural areas. 

Believes in "BETTER RURAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS." Supports improved education policies for children, college, and K-12 schools.

Wants to improve public schools in rural areas.

Plans to establish fair teacher salaries.

- Wants to invest more in public education. 
- Wants to expand opportunities for youth in rural areas. 
- Wants to improve public schools in rural areas.
- Plans to establish fair teacher salaries.

Janene (Dublin) Ackles

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 129 members of the North Carolina House of Representatives. The North Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.

Your representative and state lawmaker in North Carolina House of Representatives

North Carolina State Representative, District 43

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