North Carolina Senator Jim Perry, a member of the Republican Party, has resigned from the General Assembly less than a week after the short session adjournment. He represented Senate District 2 and served as the majority whip. Perry had announced last year that he would not seek reelection in November after taking office in 2019 to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Louis Pate. Republicans in 2021 chose him to serve as majority whip, reducing the party’s ability to override vetoes from Governor Roy Cooper. The local GOP will nominate a replacement until the next election is held.
Perry cited family health issues and personal health concerns as reasons for his resignation, as he believes he cannot devote the necessary time to his duties. Despite being retired, Perry has not ruled out the possibility of returning to politics in the future, but for now, he plans to spend time with family and possibly return to the business world. He emphasized the importance of building relationships in politics and expressed gratitude for the friendships he made on both sides of the aisle during his six years in office.
When Perry’s retirement was announced, Majority Leader Sen. Phil Berger praised his work ethic and attention to detail, highlighting his impact on health care and finance policy in North Carolina. Perry’s resignation letter also included a light-hearted mention of North Carolina BBQ, jokingly stirring a debate on the best BBQ in the state. Despite his departure, Perry leaves a legacy of hard work and dedication to public service.
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