Former Rep. Martin returns to House

Former state Rep. Grier Martin, D-Wake, officially returned to his old post in the House of Representatives on Monday after Gov. Pat McCrory appointed him to fill the vacant District 34 seat.

Wake County Democratic Party leaders chose Martin to succeed Rep. Deborah Ross, who announced last month she was leaving the House to become general counsel to the Triangle Transit Authority.

Ross nominated Martin to the post last week, and he was unopposed.

“I’d like to thank Rep. Ross for her service to the State of North Carolina over the past 12 years and wish her the best of luck in her new position. I’d also like to welcome back Grier Martin to the General Assembly, and I look forward to working with him in the future,” McCrory said in a statement.

Martin served four terms in the House before deciding in February 2012 not to seek a fifth term because redistricting put him and Ross into the same district.

Ross' resignation took effect June 1. Martin was scheduled to be sworn in Monday night.