By Staff
The Washington Daily News has learned that state Sen. Marc Basnight, D-Dare, plans to file for re-election in Dare County this morning.
The senator already had confirmed that he would be a candidate for re-election this year. He has continued to fend off speculation about his political future amid concerns about his health.
Basnight is the president pro tempore of the Senate. As pro tem, he appoints members of all Senate committees and has a strong hand in crafting legislation. He also appoints members to various state boards and commissions.
Basnight has consistently been ranked the most effective member of the Senate and is considered one of the state’s most powerful politicians.
On Monday, it was announced that Hood Richardson, a Republican Beaufort County commissioner, plans to run against Basnight.
It was unclear whether any other Republicans would enter the race or whether Richardson would be his party’s unchallenged nominee.
The two candidates are running in state Senate District 1, which covers eight northeastern counties, including Beaufort County.
For more, see Wednesday’s edition.