Rep. Verla Insko, who's represented Chapel Hill area in NC House for decades, to retire

Insko is in her 13th term in the House, having represented the Chapel Hill area since 1997. Only Rep. Julia Howard, R-Davie, who's in her 17th term, has served longer in the House. Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, who served 13 terms in the House and is now in his sixth Senate term, is currently the longest-serving state lawmaker.

Insko said she wanted to give anyone thinking about running for her seat time to consider the move before candidate filing for the 2022 elections opens in December.

"I'm not going away. I'll still be here until the end of December 2022, I think, so I'll be fussing at you until then," she told House colleagues during Wednesday's floor session.

Known as a fierce fighter for public schools and access to health care, she said she's proud to have had the opportunity to make differences in people's lives through the legislation she's sponsored and supported.

"I've got 80,000 people [in my district] that are depending on me to make sure that government works for them and that society works for them," she said. "I'm especially concerned about those kids that need help in school. Our future's going to depend on how well educated our next generation's going to be."

Before being elected to the General Assembly, Insko served on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education from 1977 to 1985 and the Orange County Board of Commissioners from 1990 to 1994.

"All North Carolinians owe Verla Insko a debt of gratitude for her productive and fruitful public service," former House Speaker Joe Hackney, who also represented Orange County, said in a statement. "Her expertise and experience in health care and public education, in particular, will be missed."

Despite her liberal track record, Insko said she initially registered as a Republican. She said she felt "the Republican Party had left me," so she switched her affiliation to the Democratic Party. She said the differences between the two parties and individual lawmakers are an important part of the legislative process.

"Both parties make mistakes," she said. "Keep true to your values. ... Hang in there, love each other and fight the good fight."