Hayden Rogers (D-NC-11)

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Hayden Rogers

Campaign links: Hayden Rogers (D-NC-11)

Hayden Rogers Congressional Candidate North Carolina District 11

Biography of Hayden Rogers from Hayden Rogers for Congress

Born and raised in Western North Carolina, Hayden learned the value of hard work and education from his parents, who were public school teachers. Business-oriented from an early age, Hayden got his entrepreneurial start catching and selling night crawlers at Lake Santeetlah and later mowing lawns and helping his grandfather on the farm. He served in various academic leadership roles during his time at Robbinsville High School, including president of the student body and the National Honor Society. Hayden went on to attend Princeton University, where he majored in politics and worked night jobs and in the school cafeteria to help pay his tuition.

After graduating college, Hayden returned to Western North Carolina where he began his successful small business career. He started a construction company and later expanded his entrepreneurial ventures to real estate management, landscaping, and a retail garden center.

In each of these enterprises, Hayden experienced firsthand the challenges and joys that come with owning a small business. He created jobs, balanced a budget, negotiated health insurance costs, and saw how unnecessary regulations stifle growth. He developed strong relationships with the local community while expanding opportunities for workers in Western North Carolina.

Recognizing Hayden’s proven track record for success and his solutions-driven approach to business, Heath Shuler asked Hayden to lead his first Congressional race in 2005. Hayden managed Shuler’s campaign to a landslide upset victory over an eight-term incumbent and went on to become the Congressman’s long-time Chief of Staff and top advisor.

As Chief of Staff, Hayden oversaw the operations of the entire Congressional office, ensuring Congressman Shuler was taking every action possible to help the families and small businesses of Western North Carolina. Hayden worked closely with leaders in both the public and private sectors to help save and create jobs; guarantee that seniors and veterans were receiving the benefits they were due; and ensure that education opportunities were available to students from every corner of the district.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Hayden is an avid sportsman. He serves on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as the Ninth District Commissioner and is a member of the NRA, Ducks Unlimited, Tri-County Bass Club, Heartland Anglers, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Trout Unlimited.

Hayden resides in Brasstown with his wife and high school sweetheart, Dr. Donna Tipton-Rogers, and their two daughters, Torin (8) and Lochlan (6). Hayden helps coach his daughter’s youth soccer team and is a member of the Cherokee County Schools PTA. The Rogers family attends Little Brasstown Baptist Church.