RALEIGH, N.C. -- A five-term North Carolina state legislator known for advancing legislation that benefits the alcohol and restaurant industries and other business interests won't seek reelection next year.
- Republican Sen. Rick Gunn announced on Wednesday that he will not seek reelection
- He says he is stepping down to fulfill another goal: working with his two sons
- He joined the Senate in 2011 and has worked to ease alcoholic beverage control laws
Republican Sen. Rick Gunn of Alamance County made the announcement on Wednesday. Candidate filing for 2020 legislative elections begins in less than two weeks.
Gunn says he's stepping down because he wants to fulfill a longtime goal of working with his two sons in a joint business venture.
The 61-year-old Gunn joined the Senate in 2011 and is now a chairman of the commerce and insurance committee. He's worked to ease alcoholic beverage control laws to help the state's distilleries grow.
Gunn may be best known for helping pass a 2017 measure that lets counties allow alcohol sales at 10 a.m., instead of noon.