Pittenger -- Lieutenant Governor for NC

From WRAL.com
By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press Writer

Posted: May. 27 4:02 p.m.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- State Sen. Robert Pittenger resigned Tuesday from the General Assembly to focus on his bid to become North Carolina's lieutenant governor, defusing a potential rivalry on the chamber floor between him and the Democratic senator also seeking the job.

Pittenger, R-Mecklenburg, told Gov. Mike Easley in a letter that he was stepping down from his 39th District seat that he has held since 2003. Pittenger won the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor in the May 6 primary.

Pittenger has been a foil to Democrats on what Republicans have called high government spending and taxes and has been critical of efforts to respond to global warming that he believes would harm North Carolina business.

"I sought to do what I thought was right," Pittenger said on the Senate floor after his resignation was announced, adding that he would continue to fight for such causes in either "public or private life."

Pittenger will take on Sen. Walter Dalton, D-Rutherford, in the general election for lieutenant governor. Dalton has no plans to resign.

"I want to continue to stay here and work on the things that I've worked on for 12 years," said Dalton, pointing to anti-gang legislation and other issues that are being discussed during the current year's session.

The November general election winner will return to the Senate in another fashion - the lieutenant governor serves as the presiding officer of the chamber, overseeing debate.

Republican leaders in Pittenger's district will choose his replacement to serve out the remainder of the term, through the end of the year. It's likely to be former Sen. Bob Rucho, who won the Republican primary to succeed Pittenger next year.

The GOP officials don't have to choose Rucho, but in a news release Pittenger said it was easier for him to leave knowing that his constituents "would be well taken care of by a veteran senator."

Pittenger's departure from the Senate does provide him with one financial advantage to Dalton. His campaign will be able to receive money from political action committees, while Dalton can't until after the session adjourns.

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