RALEIGH — The Cabarrus County Executive Committee of the Republican Party submitted their pick to Gov. Josh Stein of Christopher Allen Measmer to complete the remainder of Sen. Paul Newton’s term representing the 34th Senate District.
Newton resigned in April and was later named vice chancellor and general counsel at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Newton had been the majority leader in the Senate; Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) was chosen to succeed Newton in that role.
Measmer currently serves as chairman of the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners, a position he has held during his seventh year on the board. He has previously served as vice chairman of the county commission and president of the Cabarrus Historic Society. Measmer is also vice chairman of the National Federation of Independent Business state board and a second-generation business owner in Cabarrus County.
“I am thrilled to see Chris be selected as our next State Senator,” Lanny Lancaster, chairman of Cabarrus County Republican Party, said in a statement. “His presentation, resume, and seven years of experience serving all the residents of Cabarrus County were notable.
“During his tenure on the County Commission, Chris has been a champion for the taxpayers of Cabarrus County. He has never shied away from tackling challenging issues, and I look forward to seeing him serve out Senator Newton’s term at the General Assembly.”
The Cabarrus GOP held a four-hour closed session to interview potential replacement candidates on April 5, with Measmer emerging as their pick.
Measmer, a Central Cabarrus High School graduate with a political science degree from George Washington University, has family roots in the area dating back to 1817, according to the Cabarrus GOP’s statement.
