Republicans Choose Leadership For New Majority

Berger To Be Nominated Next President Pro Tempore

Raleigh, N.C. – At a meeting of the Senate Republican Caucus held today, Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) was unanimously selected by fellow members of the Senate Republican Caucus to serve as their nominee for the position of President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate.  Senator Berger had served as Minority Leader since 2005.  He was first elected to serve in the N.C. Senate in 2000.  Republicans will take control of the N.C. Senate for the first time in over 100 years on January 26, 2011 when the next session of the General Assembly officially begins.

Sen. Berger said, “I am humbled by the support of my fellow Republicans and accept this nomination grateful for the opportunity to lead the Senate.  We are under no illusions about the immensity of the problems we are facing as a state.  Senate Republicans are united and understand that the voters expect us to provide leadership to address North Carolina’s significant fiscal problems and pursue policies to get our economy moving in the right direction by enabling the private sector to create jobs for our people.”

Additionally, Senate Republicans chose Sen. Harry Brown (R-Onslow) to be Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Jerry Tillman (R-Randolph) as Senate Majority Whip, Sen. Fletcher Hartsell (R-Cabarrus) as Caucus Secretary, and Sen. Jean Preston (R-Carteret) as Caucus Liaison.  Sen. James Forrestor (R-Gaston) was nominated to serve as Senate Deputy President Pro Tempore.

Sen. Brown said, “We have a strong Senate team ready to address the tough challenges that lie ahead and plot a new course of opportunity for all citizens including working families, employers, entrepreneurs, and retirees.  Phil Berger is the right man to lead that team.”

Sen. Austin Allran (R-Catawba) has served in the N.C. Senate since his first election to the chamber in 1986.  Sen. Allran expressed his eagerness to serve with the new majority saying, “It’s been a long wait for this day to come.  We have ideas that are ready to be enacted and implemented.  I know people across North Carolina are ready for us to take action to help put this state back on the right track”

Senator-Elect Louis Pate (R-Pitt), Sen. Debbie Clary (R-Cleveland) and Sen. Jean Preston (R-Carteret), each former members of the N.C. House, will be the first members to serve in a Republican majority in both chambers of the General Assembly. 

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