David Lewis, architect of voter ID and redistricting laws, retiring from NC legislature
One of the most powerful Republicans in the state legislature announced Friday he’s retiring from public office, just months before he was set to run for re-election this November.
Harnett County Rep. David Lewis has been a state lawmaker since 2003. He said he plans to serve out the rest of his term this year, but then wants to spend more time with his family.
“I love my wife and kids and I recognize that their sacrifice has been measurably greater than my own, because they really didn’t have a say in when Dad was coming home,” Lewis wrote in his retirement announcement.
A farmer from Dunn, he’s best known to the public for his role in election law changes, specifically on voter ID and redistricting bills.
When several of those laws were overturned as unconstitutional in recent years and made national headlines, Lewis became the target of much scorn. But he said Friday that he tried never to focus on the criticism.
“In this esteemed legislative body, I have learned from spirited debate while showing respect for my political adversaries by avoiding personal attacks,” Lewis wrote. “A few years ago, President George W. Bush stated, ‘too often we judge other groups by their worst examples, while judging ourselves by our best intentions.’ I challenge each one of us to focus on debating the ideas while not seeking to personally destroy those with opposing ideology.”
After he and his fellow GOP officials took control of the legislature in 2011 Lewis rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee. That role gave him power over what bills would or would not make it to the floor of the House of Representatives to be voted on, making him one of the most influential people in state politics in the past few years.
“I depend on Rep. David Lewis each day to oversee some of the most important work done here in the House of Representatives,” N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore wrote in 2017 when he re-appointed Lewis to another term leading that powerful committee. “Not only is Rep. Lewis one of the hardest working members of the House, he is a compelling speaker and fierce advocate for the policy reforms passed under Republican leadership in North Carolina.”
Republican Rep. John Bell, the House majority leader, tweeted Friday about his respect for Lewis.
“He‘s more than a colleague & a seat mate,” Bell wrote. “He‘s a true friend. For the past 18 years, he has fought tirelessly for his constituents & a better North Carolina & he’s always done it the right way.”
It wasn’t just his fellow Republicans wishing Lewis well. Shortly after he announced his retirement at least two Triangle Democrats, Raleigh Rep. Allison Dahle and Durham Rep. Zack Hawkins, also wrote Lewis well wishes on Twitter.
Since Lewis had earlier filed for re-election this year, Republican Party officials will need to move quickly if they want to replace his name on the ballot with a new candidate. The first ballots begin going out in early September so state election officials have asked parties to have any last-minute changes in by early August.
Lewis is not the first state legislator to unexpectedly pull out of the 2020 election this summer.
Republican Sen. Jerry Tillman of Archdale also announced a surprise retirement recently, and Democratic Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield of Wilson stepped down to take on a different role in state government, as a member of a board that reviews people’s appeals for unemployment benefits.
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This story was originally published July 24, 2020 at 5:23 PM with the headline "David Lewis, architect of voter ID and redistricting laws, retiring from NC legislature."
