Hackney to seek minority leader job

That’s the headline of the press release. Here’s the text:

Rep. Hackney has served as Speaker for the past four years. His tenure will end when the newly elected Republican majority comes into office in January.

“Next year, we must cooperate with the new Republican majority when their direction is good for North Carolina,” Rep. Hackney said. “But we must vigorously oppose them when they seek to move North Carolina in the wrong direction, such as when they act to erode the quality of our public education, or our excellent business climate.”

Rep. Hackney represents Chatham, Orange and Moore counties. Prior to becoming Speaker, he served as House Speaker Pro Tempore, House Democratic Leader and House Majority Leader. He is also the former chairman of numerous legislative committees, including Judiciary I, Finance, Ethics and Environment.

Speaker Hackney is a former president of the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 2007, he received the group’s Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award, the nation’s top honor for state legislators.