Surprise retirement in NC House: Wake lawmaker leaving

A Wake County state lawmaker said Thursday that he'll resign from the North Carolina House of Representatives for a job at the Pentagon, leaving an open seat in the coming elections.

State Rep. Grier Martin, a Democrat, has been a member of the North Carolina House for more than 15 years. He was running for reelection this year but said Thursday that his last day in the House will be July 8.

The legislature is in session now, but it may complete its business by then. House and Senate leaders have said they hope to adjourn by early July.

Martin is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a U.S. Army Reserve officer. He said he's retiring from the Army Reserve as well, though that's unrelated to the Pentagon job.

Wake County Democrats will pick a replacement to fill Martin's seat in the House. The local party will also decide who will replace Martin on the ballot.

"Two separate decisions," Martin said in a text message.

Martin's seat leans toward Democrats, and he was unopposed in the recent primary elections. He was slated to face Republican Ashley Seshul and Libertarian Kat McDonald in the November general election.

"Serving the people of Raleigh and North Carolina has been a tremendous honor," Martin said in a statement. "I am very excited to continue my service in the Biden-Harris Administration."