The new N.C. Senate majority leader said yesterday that he doesn't expect dramatic policy shifts by Democrats even though the self-described populist is replacing the more business-oriented Sen. Tony Rand.
Sen. Martin Nesbitt, a 30-year veteran of the General Assembly, was elected unanimously yesterday morning in a private caucus meeting.
He said his new role is to find consensus on issues that will help the party make good decisions for North Carolina while extending its 110-year grip in charge of the chamber.
"Nothing earth-shattering has happened," Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, said after the meeting at the Legislative Building. "I don't think you're going to notice much of a change with me coming in."
Nesbitt will become the top lieutenant to Senate leader Marc Basnight, D-Dare, who's been in charge of the Senate since 1993 and with Rand at his side since 2001. Rand, D-Cumberland, announced two weeks ago he was leaving the legislature to lead the state parole commission.
"I give you a true mountain man, a wonderful friend and a great North Carolinian," Basnight said in introducing Nesbitt after the meeting.
There were no other announced candidates for the majority leader's job, particularly since Basnight wrote an endorsement letter to the other 28 Democrats in the chamber two days after Rand's announcement.
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