Basnight Steps Down
Tuesday, January 04 2011
by Laura Leslie
Marc Basnight (Photo: Laura Leslie)
Catherine Brand: The longest-serving Senate Leader in North Carolina history is stepping down later this month. Laura Leslie reports.
Laura Leslie: Manteo Democrat Marc Basnight has served 26 years in the state Senate, running it for the past 9 terms. But over the last few years, a neurological disease has made speech and balance increasingly difficult for the 64-year-old senator. He says as President Pro Tem, he didn’t have to stand up and debate very often. But as a minority member next session, that would change.
Marc Basnight: I believe it would be wrong to just sit here and not be able to represent the people who voted for me. That would be wrong. And I do not believe I can do that.
Basnight says he believed he could finish his term when he ran for re-election last year. But he now wants to spend time with his family and his new fiancée, Manteo librarian Sue Waters. Laura Leslie, NC Public Radio, WUNC.
& Newsletters
