Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, announced on Monday afternoon that he is stepping down from his elected position in August after serving in the North Carolina General Assembly for 13 years.
In an official letter to Speaker of the House Tim Moore, Saine said he’s choosing to step away from public life to pursue several unique professional opportunities in policy.
“After much contemplation, I am writing to inform you of my intention to resign from the North Carolina House of Representatives, effective August 12th, 2024,” the letter reads. “For the past 13 years, it has been an unparalleled honor to serve the people of Lincoln County in District 97 and the state of North Carolina”
Saine is leaving for a role at a mental health company and noted that he will look into the lobbying side once he is no longer in office. His background is in public relations and social media management. To be a lobbyist in North Carolina, an elected official must first be out of office for at least six months under General Statute 120C-304.
“These roles will allow me to continue advocating for the policies I am passionate about, including consulting on several key issues that are close to my heart,” Saine’s letter reads. “I remain open to exploring avenues where I can contribute to policy development within North Carolina and beyond.”
Saine has been in office since 2011, when he was appointed to replace outgoing Rep. Jonathan Rhyne. Now, the local Republican Party will decide on a new representative to fill the seat for the remainder of the year and to run unopposed on the ballot this November.
As a senior chair of the House Appropriations Committee, he has become an influential leader on budget matters. In an interview, he emphasized some of his proudest efforts, including his work on child advocacy centers, firefighter cancer coverage, and broadband expansion into rural North Carolina communities. Saine was also a primary co-sponsor of the sports betting legislation that passed last year and took effect in March, which he called a “signature piece of legislation.”
“Over the years, we went from really almost no funding to about $12 million annually,” he said of child advocacy efforts. “And I just see the important work that they do with kids who have been abused or molested, and it’s just been a passion of mine.”
He has previously considered running for US Congress but said after more consideration doesn’t think it would be a good fit.
Speaker Tim Moore and Rep. Destin Hall released statements on Monday afternoon thanking him for his public service and recognizing his accomplishments in shaping state policy.
“I am honored to call Rep. Jason Saine both a colleague and a friend,” Moore said. “Rep. Saine has made an indelible mark on our state and in the NC House of Representatives, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Saine’s former Chief-of-Staff, Clark Riemer, called his retirement from the House “bittersweet” in a post on X.
It’s a bittersweet day for me as @JasonSaine97th is announcing his retirement from the House.
For over a decade Rep. Saine has been a friend, mentor, and for much of that time, “boss.” The state will be poorer for the loss of his leadership. Few will ever know all he got done. https://t.co/xte7fG4lAT
— Clark D. Riemer (@clarkriemer) July 15, 2024
The announcement follows Sen. Jim Perry’s, R-Lenoir, resignation just two weeks ago. The majority whip, who represented Senate District 2, said he would not be able to devote the time he thought was necessary to be effective due to other obligations he must focus on.