After a long career of public advocacy including decades in elective office, longtime State House Rep. Verla Insko has announced she’s retiring — a few months earlier than planned.
Rep. Insko had already planned to retire when her term expired this fall. But on Thursday, she released a statement announcing plans to step down effective March 31.
Rep. Verla Insko of North Carolina House District 56. (Photo via the North Carolina General Assembly)
Insko said her husband Chet’s health issues prompted her decision, saying, “This is clearly the right time for me to step aside.”
Insko, 86, joined the State House in 1997, after stints on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board and the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Since then, she’s been a leading liberal voice in Raleigh, on issues ranging from ballot security to education to health care and mental health.
Rep. Graig Meyer is Orange County’s other representative in the State House. Speaking on 97.9 The Hill this week, Meyer praised Insko for her long career, saying, “I can’t think of anyone who’s given more of their life to public service in Orange County than Verla Insko. She’s been a phenomenal leader for us in the General Assembly and always fully represented Orange County values.”
Insko’s retirement leaves a vacancy in the State House. Gov. Roy Cooper is responsible for appointing someone to serve out the rest of the term, but state law requires the governor to follow the recommendation of the Orange County Democratic Party’s executive committee. The committee will hold a special meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, to choose an individual to recommend to Gov. Cooper.
Two residents had already announced plans to run for Insko’s seat in November – former Chapel Hill Town Council member Allen Buansi and former Orange County Democratic Party chair Jonah Garson – but both candidates say they will not seek the appointment, focusing instead on the upcoming primary. Buansi was the first to break the news of Insko’s retirement on social media, writing: “Rep. Insko serves as a role model for me & many other elected officials…Regardless of who serves in this seat after the election, they’ll have very large shoes to fill, to replace what (she) brought to the House.”
Here is Rep. Verla Insko’s full statement announcing her retirement:
I wanted you to know I am announcing today that March 31 is my retirement date. I love this work and the people I work with, but my husband, Chet, has some health issues, and this is clearly the right time for me to step aside.
It has been a great honor and privilege to represent you in the North Carolina House. We live in a very special part of the state that has influenced legislation to improve lives, protect the world, and make us all stronger. I’m proud to have been part of that and I’m grateful for your steadfast support that helped make it all possible.
While I won’t be in the legislature, I will continue my efforts to elect more Democrats and work with you to make North Carolina the state we know and want it to be.
I look forward to joining you as a supporter and influencer of state government.
Regards,
Verla
Featured photo via Chris Seward.
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