RALEIGH – Marc Basnight, a Dare County native who served in the General Assembly for 26 years, died on Monday, his family and local news outlets confirmed.
Basnight served as Senate president pro tempore from 1993 until 2010.
Gov. Roy Cooper, who served with Basnight for 12 years in the state legislature, said of Basnight, “North Carolina lost a giant today with the passing of my friend, Senator Marc Basnight. His positive influence on our public universities, transportation, environment and more will be felt for decades. A man of great power and influence, his humble, common touch made everyone he met feel special, whether pouring them a glass of tea in his restaurant or sharing a pack of nabs at a country store. He believed in North Carolina and its people, and our state is stronger because of him. Our prayers are with Vicki, Caroline and the whole family.”
Basnight resigned his state senate seat due to health issues resulting from a degenerative nerve disease shortly before the 2011 legislative session.
