Earlier this summer, Sen, Jim Perry, R-Lenoir, announced his retirement from that chamber, effective immediately. The announcement came after weeks of budget negotiations concluded in an atypical adjournment, marking the practical end of substantive legislative activity for the year.

Wednesday, leaders of the North Carolina Senate administered the Oath of Office to Bob Brinson, once again giving Senate District 2 representation for the remainder of the 2023-2024 term.

Interestingly, though, Brinson is the general election candidate for Senate District 3; so why is he swearing in for District 2? Previous rounds of redistricting adjustments mean district lines will shift starting in 2025, capturing the Brinson residence in the third district even though it’s currently in the second district.

Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, administered the oath of office for Brinson.

“I want to thank Bob for stepping up to serve in the Senate,” Berger said in a press release. “His experience and service in his community will lend itself well as he navigates the General Assembly. Bob has already hit the ground running and I look forward to working with him on issues that impact his district and the state.”

Brinson is a native of New Bern and graduated from New Bern High School and the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.

After graduating from West Point, Brinson was commissioned in the United States Army in the Aviation Branch. He served in the Army for 28 years and was was elected to the New Bern Board of Alderman in 2022.

“It’s an honor to represent Beaufort, Craven, and Lenoir counties in the North Carolina Senate,” Brinson said. “I’m excited to work with my new colleagues and deliver results on behalf of my constituents. While my title may have changed, my dedication to the people of Eastern North Carolina has not.”

While the legislature has largely wrapped up its work for the year — a budget adjustment impasse between the House and Senate ended in a stalemate and adjournment resolution — there are several miniature sessions remaining on the calendar for possible veto overrides.

Several pieces of legislation vetoed by Gov. Roy Cooper remain eligible for override votes in the legislature. However, with Perry’s resignation in early July, the Senate Republican caucus dropped one vote below the two-thirds requirement for overriding a governor’s veto.

With Brinson sworn-in, the Senate once again has the veto-proof majority for the remainder of the 2024 terms. Keeping those super-majorities into 2025 will be another matter altogether, settled by voters at the ballot box in the General Election this fall.