Rep. Holliman elected majority leader; Rep. Wainwright nominated as Speaker Pro Tem

RALEIGH – The Democratic Caucus of the North Carolina House of Representatives voted Wednesday to nominate Speaker Joe Hackney for a second term leading the chamber.

The caucus also elected Rep. Hugh Holliman of Davidson County to a second term as House Majority Leader and nominated Rep. William Wainwright of Craven County for a second term as Speaker Pro Tempore.

Speaker Hackney must be elected by a vote of the full House, where Democrats hold a 68-52 advantage over their Republican counterparts. The vote will be held Jan. 28, the first day of the 2009-2010 session of the General Assembly. The Speaker’s term lasts two years.

“I’m honored that my Democratic colleagues would nominate me for a second term,” Speaker Hackney said. “Our state has important economic challenges ahead and it’s humbling to know they have faith in me to help resolve those challenges while continuing to move our state forward.”

Speaker Hackney represents Chatham, Orange and Moore counties and has served in the House since 1981.

Prior to becoming Speaker, he was the House Democratic Leader for one term, House Majority Leader for one term and the Speaker Pro Tempore for two terms. Since 1974, Speaker Hackney has been a partner in the Epting & Hackney law firm in Chapel Hill.

In addition, he and his brother continue to operate their family cattle farm. Hackney received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a juris doctorate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He and his wife, Betsy, have two adult sons, Dan and Will.