A Classic Deborah Ross Moment
Democratic legislator Deborah Ross, an outspoken advocate of women’s rights and other progressive causes, is resigning from a Legislature where Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers and taking a job with an agency that provides mass transit.
Ross, who will work as general counsel for Triangle Transit, said Wednesday that she wants to have a job where she can improve people’s lives.
“The biggest thing that has weighed in my decision to leave is that at this point in my career, I want to make things happen,” said Ross, who’s in her sixth term. “I want to have a positive effect, positive change, do things that make a difference in people’s lives. And this is an opportunity to do just that in a very, very profound way for this region on an issue that I’ve been working on for years and years.”
Ross, 49, said she doesn’t know when she’ll formally leave the General Assembly. Triangle Transit officials said she starts working there June 17.
She’s supporting former Rep. Grier Martin to replace her. Wake County Democrats in her downtown Raleigh and southern Wake district must organize to choose a nominee to replace her, and Republican Gov. Pat McCrory is required by state law to appoint that nominee.
