Top lawyer role at alma mater led to Newton leaving NC Senate

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina Senate Republicans have witnessed a key member step down this week, as Paul Newton has resigned from the General Assembly to take on a new role as the chief attorney for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

On Thursday, UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts announced Newton’s appointment as general counsel and vice chancellor at the university’s distinguished campus. Newton’s departure from the Senate was disclosed in a news release on Tuesday, where he mentioned his decision to leave for “an opportunity outside of state government,” which was not immediately revealed. During his farewell speech in the Senate on Wednesday, Newton explained that he learned about the job opening a few weeks prior and accepted the offer the previous Monday.

An alumnus of UNC-Chapel Hill, Newton obtained both his undergraduate and law degrees from the university. Before his political career, he had served as an executive at Duke Energy. He joined the Senate in 2017 and advanced to the position of majority leader following the 2022 elections. His personal ties to the university run deep, as he is the father of four UNC-Chapel Hill graduates.

Roberts expressed that Newton, who is expected to begin his new job on April 21, possesses “exceptional skills and deep experience in law, business, and government,” making him a valuable asset to the university. Roberts also highlighted Newton’s eagerness to return to his alma mater and contribute to its ongoing success.

With Newton’s resignation, the Republicans in his Cabarrus County Senate district will select his replacement to serve until 2026. Additionally, Senate Republicans are set to convene to choose a new majority leader, a position of significant influence serving as a chief aide to GOP Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger.