RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina House has appointed a new speaker for the first time in a decade, with Rep. Destin Hall taking over leadership from now-U.S. Rep. Tim Moore. Hall, at just 37 years old, is seen as a representative of a younger generation, and he will lead a Republican-majority chamber that is currently focused on issues stemming from Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, alongside an anticipated need for bipartisan support to progress a conservative agenda.
During a brief General Assembly gathering meant to officially seat newly elected lawmakers from the November elections, Hall was selected to succeed Moore, who held the speaker position for a record five two-year terms. In his acceptance address, Hall expressed gratitude to his grandparents, who raised him in rural Caldwell County and always supported him. He emphasized the importance of allowing all citizens in North Carolina to achieve their version of the American dream, aiming for advancements in economic growth, education, and public safety in the state.
The Senate, controlled by Republicans, reelected Phil Berger from Rockingham County as its leader. Berger, who has been the GOP president pro tempore since the party took over the General Assembly in 2011, noted the challenges faced over the years, saying, “There were naysayers 14 years ago. Frankly, there still are naysayers.” He believes the conservative policies have improved state conditions considerably.
The Republican Party maintains the same seat distribution in the Legislature as at the beginning of the previous session — a 71-49 majority in the House and a 30-20 advantage in the Senate, which is just one seat shy of a veto-proof majority. This imbalance was confirmed when the State Board of Elections certified a narrow win for a Democrat after recounts and protests followed claims from the previous Republican incumbent.
In 2023, a party switch allowed the GOP to gain an additional House seat, establishing a supermajority that enabled them to override all vetoes from former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper throughout the two-year legislative session. Recently, a significant veto was overridden, reducing the powers of newly elected Democratic Governor Josh Stein. With the current makeup of the chamber, Democrats could effectively work to block GOP initiatives that the Democratic governor chooses to veto. While it’s uncertain whether any parties will switch allegiance this session, Hall voiced optimism about forming a “working supermajority” with some Democratic cooperation on select issues.
The upcoming session is poised to heavily address the ongoing recovery efforts following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, which occurred in late September. Both Hall and Berger pledged to prioritize relief efforts, highlighting the General Assembly’s previous commitment of over $1 billion for hurricane aid. Hall mentioned ongoing discussions with Stein, indicating a preference for bipartisan cooperation for potential new relief initiatives early in 2025.
“I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to find common ground,” Berger added when discussing future interactions with Stein, noting that hurricane recovery is just one of several issues where legislators may find consensus.
Hall’s rise to speaker was nearly a foregone conclusion when House Republicans opted to elevate him as rules committee chair last year as Moore’s tenure was concluding. He faced no opposition from Democrats during Wednesday’s vote. Moore attended the session in celebration of Hall’s election, accompanied by other former GOP speakers including U.S. Senator Thom Tillis.
The General Assembly is set to reconvene on January 29, aiming to finalize a two-year state budget by July. Furthermore, there are likely discussions around legalizing medical marijuana and potential expansion of state-operated casinos beyond those managed by American Indian tribes.
Wednesday also marked the debut of Democrat Rachel Hunt as lieutenant governor in the Senate. Having previously served in both the House and Senate, Hunt will oversee Senate debates as part of her responsibilities. Notably, her father, four-term Democratic Governor Jim Hunt, who was elected lieutenant governor in 1972, attended the ceremony at the age of 87, further linking the current political climate to a legacy of leadership.
