North Carolina Senate Democrats elected state Sen. Sydney Batch as their new minority leader on Monday, replacing longtime leader Sen. Dan Blue. This change in leadership comes after Republicans maintained their supermajority in the Senate during the November elections.
Blue, who has served as minority leader since 2014, chose not to seek another term. He told WRAL News that he “checked out how people were really feeling” and determined that “they are ready for a new direction.” Blue expressed confidence in Batch’s ability to lead, stating that she will “strengthen the caucus”.
Batch, a 45-year-old attorney and social worker, will be the first Black female lawmaker to hold the position of Senate minority leader. She was appointed to the state Senate in early 2021 by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper after losing her reelection bid to the House in 2020. Prior to her appointment, Batch represented District 37 in the House for a single term after winning a close race in 2018.
In a statement, Batch expressed gratitude for being chosen to lead the caucus “during such a pivotal time for our state.” She also thanked Blue for his leadership, acknowledging his “historic tenure” in both chambers of the General Assembly.
“North Carolinians are counting on us to protect their rights, expand opportunity, and fight for policies that prioritize people over politics,” Batch said. “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 re-elected Sen. Jay Chaudhuri of Wake County as minority whip and Sen. Julie Mayfield of Buncombe County as caucus secretary. Blue, who will be finishing his last term as a state senator, plans to “pass the torch into the capable hands of Senator Batch”. He believes her “vision for the future of the Senate Democratic Caucus builds upon the work we started and will ensure the end of the Republican supermajority and to a new Democratic Senate majority which will improve the lives of all North Carolinians”.