RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A top leader for House Republicans is leaving the North Carolina General Assembly three months before he was likely to keep his legislative seat on Election Day.
House Majority Leader Mike Hager of Rutherfordton said Monday he was resigning effective Tuesday from his seat in the foothills. In an interview, he cited the need to care for aging parents and support himself financially.
Hager joined the House in 2011 and moved up the leadership ladder to majority whip, then majority leader for the past two years.
Hager was considered a leader of hard-line conservatives but says he tried to build unity among differing GOP viewpoints.
Hager says Republicans in his district meet Wednesday to name his successor. Hager faced no Democratic opposition in November — only an unaffiliated candidate.