Departing Lawmakers Take With Them Over 450 Years of Legislative Experience

North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation

The 2011-2012 Legislative Session of the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned "sine die" today, and as the gavels fell on Jones Street, it signaled not only the conclusion of the session but also the end of many notable legislative careers. When the next session of the state legislature convenes on January 30, 2013, at least 48 currently serving members of the N.C. Senate and N.C. House will not be returning as elected state lawmakers. Eleven state Senators and 37 state Representatives are either retiring or running for another office. All in all, these non-returning members take with them over 450 years of legislative service and experience.

As we take time this week to reflect on and celebrate Independence Day in our nation, the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation expresses our deep appreciation to these elected lawmakers for their many years of service in the North Carolina General Assembly. We also thank all of those who have served in the past, those who continue to serve, and those who will serve in the future. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Senate Democrats (6): Sens. Bob Atwater (D-Chatham), Charlie Dannelly (D-Mecklenburg), Linda Garrou (D-Forsyth), Eric Mansfield (D-Cumberland), Bill Purcell (D-Scotland) and Don Vaughan (D-Guilford).

Senate Republicans (5): Sens. Harris Blake (R-Moore), Jean Preston (R-Carteret), David Rouzer (R-Johnston)*, Richard Stevens (R-Wake), and Wes Westmoreland (R-Cleveland).

House Democrats (17): Reps. Alice Bordsen (D-Alamance), Jim Crawford (D-Granville), Bill Faison (D-Orange), Joe Hackney (D-Orange), Phil Haire (D-Jackson), Dewey Hill (D-Columbus), Maggie Jeffus (D-Guilford), Patsy Keever (D-Buncombe)*, Grier Martin (D-Wake), Frank McGuirt (D-Union), Bill Owens (D-Pasquotank), Diane Parfitt (D-Cumberland), Earline Parmon (D-Forsyth)**, Tim Spear (D-Washington), Edith Warren (D-Pitt), Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake), and Larry Womble (D-Forsyth).

House Republicans (20): Reps. Glen Bradley (R-Franklin), Larry Brown (R-Forsyth), Bill Cook (R-Beaufort)**, Bill Current (R-Gaston), Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth), Phillip Frye (R-Mitchell), Mark Hilton (R-Catawba), Dan Ingle (R-Alamance), Carolyn Justice (R-Pender), Ric Killian (R-Mecklenburg), Stephen LaRoque (R-Lenoir), Danny McComas (R-New Hanover), Darrell McCormick (R-Yadkin), Bill McGee (R-Forsyth), Grey Mills (R-Iredell), Shirley Randleman (R-Wilkes), Efton Sager (R-Wayne), Norm Sanderson (R-Pamlico)**, Fred Steen (R-Rowan), Trudi Walend (R-Transylvania)

*running for US House; **running for NC Senate

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NCFEF staff John Rustin, Jonathan Kappler, and Meaghan Lewis contributed to this report.

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