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Mon: Goodall, Albertson out in 2010
posted at 2010-01-18 10:56 | Last modified 2010-01-18 10:56
Union Republican Eddie Goodall is the latest to announce his exit from the NC Senate. The Joint GOP Caucus chair sent out a release Saturday night, saying he won't run for a fourth term in 2010. From his statement:
"I thank my family for sacrifices so that I could pursue the passion I have for at least trying to make our communities and state better places to live and work. I also thank my colleagues in the senate and house, Democrats and Republicans, for the spirit in which we all tried in our own ways to improve lives. They will be truly missed after this final year of my senate stay.
"My reason for leaving is very simple. Like the vast majority of my constituents I too have to make a living and pay my bills. The legislative pay simply does not make it feasible for the majority of citizens to do that.
"It is particularly hard leaving in a year in which Republican expectations are so high. I do believe the GOP vision for our state; taking a more structured approach to spending, reducing tax to be competitive with surrounding states, recognizing that most jobs are created by NC small businesses and focusing on them, and introducing choice in K-12 education, are going to be what people call for on November 2, 2010 when they walk in the voting booth.
"It would be nice to return to the first Republican Senate since 1898 next year and be part of an experiment called a two party state legislature in the North State."
Goodall's district is pretty solidly red, so his departure isn't likely to affect the balance of power in the Senate.
Neither, most likely, will Charlie Albertson's exit, announced Friday. The longtime Duplin Dem says he won't run in 2010, either. Albertson has served for 21 years - 4 in the House, 17 in the Senate.
In an interview Friday, Albertson told me he's confident he would win reelection this year if he ran, and he said the departures of several other senior Dems didn't really factor into his decision, either. At 78, he says, he's ready for a little time off, and he's starting to wonder what he might be missing outside the legislature.
"It takes a lot of money and it takes a tremendous lot of time, with the economy like it is, the budgets being what they are, and trying to balance the budget and meet all the critical needs of the state... this is hard work if you take it seriously, and most people do, I think. It's hard work. But it's been a great honor to serve, to be elected by the people this many times -- it's more than I ever expected, really."
Albertson's release Friday included the following praise from Senate leader Marc Basnight:
"Charlie Albertson has been the Senate's leader on agricultural and environmental issues, and throughout his life he has always shown great compassion for others," Senate leader Marc Basnight said. "He also has been a wonderful example how to live with a positive attitude, strong character and integrity, and an incredible work ethic. Charlie is so quick with a joke and a smile, and he makes everyone around him smile too. I am so blessed to call him my friend and I will truly miss seeing him every day in the Senate."
Albertson, the "Singing Senator," is also a bluegrass and gospel musician who's done jingles for the Ag Dept, the DOT, and even UNC-TV. For a short sample of his work, here's "Honest Politician" from his "Singing Senator with the News" CD from a few years back:
Listen Now!
There's not much I can add to that one.
Comments? Drop me a line.
