RALEIGH — The North Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus unanimously nominated Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare, for another term as Senate president pro tempore Monday.

Basnight has been the Senate’s leader since 1993, making him the longest-serving legislative leader in state history.

“I am honored in the vote of confidence that my colleagues in the Senate have given me,” Basnight said. “Creating jobs will be my number one priority in the coming session and we must make government more efficient and streamlined. We have many challenges ahead, but we have a great team and we will work hard every day on behalf of all the people of our great state.”

As president pro tempore, Basnight makes committee appointments, presides over the Senate chamber when the lieutenant governor is absent, and works with other senators to set the Senate’s legislative agenda. He was first elected to the Senate in 1984.

In addition to nominating Basnight, the Senate Democrats also nominated Sen. Charlie Dannelly, D-Mecklenburg, to serve a fourth term as deputy president pro tempore. The full Senate will vote on Basnight’s and Dannelly’s nominations when the new legislative session begins Jan. 28.

The caucus also re-elected Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, as its majority leader, and elected Sen. Katie Dorsett, D-Guilford, to serve as majority whip. Sen. R.C. Soles, D-Columbus, was re-elected as caucus chairman and Sen. Charlie Albertson, D-Duplin, was re-elected as caucus secretary.