By Catherine M. Welch
Wilmington, NC – State Senator R.C. Soles Jr says he will not seek reelection next year. Soles, the longest serving North Carolina legislator, says he will serve out the remainder of his term.
In a released statement, Soles said he had never given retirement much thought, but after 42 years and 21 elections he has decided to not seek reelection.
Soles has had a difficult year, he is the subject of two state investigations and a grand jury recently found probable cause for an indictment against him for the shooting of a home intruder last August.
Senate leader Marc Basnight calls Soles the very best of what a state Senator should be, and says the state has benefitted from his service.
Soles is the third state senator in the region to not seek reelection. Robeson County's David Weinstein left the general assembly for a state job. And New Hanover County democrat Julia Boseman will not run again so she can spend more time with her family.
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