RALEIGH — A pair of North Carolina House members — one Republican and one Democrat — have announced they will not seek re-election next year.
Democratic Rep. Mary Ann Black (D-Durham) made her decision public on Tuesday, a day after GOP Rep. Debra Conrad (R-Forsyth) made a similar announcement.
Conrad is in her fourth term following 18 years as a Forsyth commissioner. A news release says Conrad will “seek new opportunities in business and politics.” Conrad endorsed a Lewisville town councilman to succeed her.
“I look forward with great anticipation to continuing to make a positive contribution in the worlds of business and politics,” Conrad said. “Representing the people of Forsyth County is a tremendous honor, and I will continue to stand up for their conservative values as long as I serve them.”
Conrad endorsed Lewisville Town Councilman Jeff Zenger to replace her in the 2020 election for the District 74 seat in the North Carolina House. “I am pleased to announce that Councilman Jeff Zenger will be running for the General Assembly, and he is a solid conservative. Councilman Zenger has my full support.”
Black joined the legislature in early 2017, filling the seat vacated by Larry Hall when he became Gov. Roy Cooper’s veterans’ affairs secretary. She says she’s proud of working to improve school safety and will keep pushing for Medicaid expansion.
Candidate filing starts Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
