Bob Brinson, until recently a Republican member of the New Bern City Council was sworn in Wednesday as a state Senator from Craven County for the remainder of the term vacated by Sen. Jim Perry.
Brinson, who resigned from the New Bern Board of Alderman on Monday, will represent District 2 in the North Carolina Senate, which includes Beaufort, Craven and Lenoir counties in the eastern part of the state.
Sen. Phil Berger, a Republican from Rockingham County and the Senate Leader, administered the oath of office for Brinson in Raleigh.
“I want to thank Bob for stepping up to serve in the Senate,” Berger said. “His experience and service in his community will lend itself well as he navigates the General Assembly. Bob has already hit the ground running and I look forward to working with him on issues that impact his district and the state.”
Brinson is a native of New Bern and graduated from New Bern High School before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. Brinson was commissioned in the United States Army in the Aviation Branch and served 28 years. He was elected to the New Bern Board of Alderman in 2022.
“It’s an honor to represent Beaufort, Craven, and Lenoir counties in the North Carolina Senate,” Brinson said. “I’m excited to work with my new colleagues and deliver results on behalf of my constituents. While my title may have changed, my dedication to the people of Eastern North Carolina has not.”
Perry, a Kinston Republican, resigned his position on July 2 after announcing last year that he would not run for re-election. He was appointed to fill a Senate vacancy in 2019 and quickly rose to prominence in the Legislature as the Majority Whip and co-chair of the chamber’s Finance Committee.
In December, when announcing he would not seek another term, Perry said “time is a precious commodity, and we are each only given a finite amount. I have worked hard to support the people of eastern NC during my three terms in the North Carolina Senate. I am entering a season of life where I will need more time to support those closest to me.”
Brinson was nominated to replace Perry on July 23 to serve the remainder of Perry’s unexpired term. Brinson’s appointment ensures Republicans maintain their narrow veto-proof majority in the Senate.
“I am humbled by the faith and confidence the citizens of Ward 6 placed in me and I am truly honored to have served them in this role. I envisioned the position of Alderman as a neighbor serving neighbors,” Brinson wrote in his resignation letter. “As the next North Carolina State Senator representing Craven, Beaufort, and Lenoir Counties, I will take this mentality and work ethic with me to continue to serve the people of Eastern North Carolina.”
On Tuesday, New Bern Mayor Jeffrey Odham called a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen for Friday to discuss the Ward 6 vacancy opened by Brinson’s resignation.
Several prominent members of the North Carolina General Assembly have announced their resignations in recent weeks. Most notable was Rep. Jason Saine’s departure after 13 years in the Legislature. The Republican budget writer from Lincoln County served as Chairman of the House Finance Committee and co-chair of the House Appropriations Committee, where he helped oversee Republican budget writing and financial negotiations with both the Senate and Governor’s Office. Saine was instrumental in legalizing sports gambling in the state.
In July, Rep. Ashton Wheeler, a Democrat from Guilford County, announced she would resign in August to take a job with the University of North Carolina system. She served as the deputy leader of the House Democratic Caucus.
