Democrats pick new leader in North Carolina Senate

Democrats in the state Senate elected a new minority leader Monday.

State Sen. Sydney Batch will replace longtime state Sen. Dan Blue as minority leader next year in the chamber, where Republicans recently retained a supermajority. Blue had held the position for years but declined to pursue it again Monday after “taking the temperature” of the caucus, he told WRAL News late Monday.

“I did check out how people were really feeling,” said Blue, D-Wake. “They are ready for a new direction.” Batch will “strengthen the caucus” as minority leader, he added.

Senate Democrats announced the change in leadership in a statement to the media.

Batch, who last month won a second term representing southern Wake County, thanked Blue for his leadership.

“It is an honor to be chosen by my colleagues to lead the Senate Democratic Caucus during such a pivotal time for our state,” Batch said in the statement.

“North Carolinians are counting on us to protect their rights, expand opportunity, and fight for policies that prioritize people over politics,” she continued. “Our Caucus remains focused on creating a North Carolina where every resident can build the life they want for their families and themselves, and we are ready to work to get North Carolina back on the right track.”

The caucus also reelected Sen. Jay Chaudhuri of Wake County as Minority Whip and Sen. Julie Mayfield of Buncombe County as caucus secretary.