One of North Carolina's longest serving and most distinguished lawmakers.

• Position: PEOPLE & POLITICS - Representative Joe Hackney - Brief article

ONE OF NORTH CAROLINA'S LONGEST SERVING AND MOST DISTINGUISHED LAWMAKERS has announced he will not seek re-election after 32 years in the House of Representatives. Representative Joe Hackney, who during his 16 terms was speaker pro tern, majority leader and speaker of the House before the GOP took control in 2010, will leave the legislature at the end on 2012. "I enjoyed all of it immensely and gave it my all. I think I made a contribution," he said. Hackney, who was president of the National Conference of State Legislatures in 2008-2009, was lauded as a principled speaker and outstanding lawmaker who will be sorely missed. "Joe Hackney never...