Members of the 2025-2026 General Assembly - New From 2024: Profiles and Insights
December 10, 2024
Note: This is part of our continuing coverage of the membership changes to the NC Legislature for the 2025-2026 biennium. You can read the previous post, covering the newly elected members of the 2025-2026 General Assembly, here:
New Members of the 2025-2026 General Assembly: Profiles and Insights
As North Carolina heads into a new legislative session, there are membership changes in the House and Senate that will shape the State’s 2025-2026 landscape. Staying ahead of these changes will help you engage with key members early and ensure advocacy efforts are aligned with potential new priorities and perspectives.
NC Senate: Members who joined in 2024 and re-elected for 2025-2026
Robert “Bob” Brinson (R) – District 2, Beaufort/Craven/Lenoir
Previous Office: New Bern Alderman
Senator Bob Brinson was appointed to the NC Senate on 7/30/24 to replace Senator Jim Perry, who resigned on 7/2/24. Senator Brinson attended the US Military Academy at West Point and served 28 years in the US Army. He also has experience in local government, including being elected as City of New Bern Alderman and serving as Mayor Pro Tempore.
Senator Brinson is not currently assigned to any standing committees. He is currently a member of the following study committees:
Revenue Laws Study Committee
Joint Legislative Elections Oversight Committee
Joint Legislative Emergency Management Oversight Committee
Bills sponsored / introduced in 2024: None
Helpful Links:
NC House of Representatives: Members who joined in 2024 and re-elected for 2025-2026
The 6 Representatives who were appointed to the NC House in 2024 and then re-elected for 2025-2026 are:
John M. Blust (R) – District 62, Guilford
Jerry “Alan” Branson (R) – District 59, Guilford
Tracy Clark (D) – District 57, Guilford
Robert T. “Bobby” Drakeford (D) – District 107, Mecklenburg
Blair Eddins (R) – District 94, Alexander/Wilkes
Heather H. Rhyne (R) – District 97, Lincoln
Continue reading below for their profiles:
John M. Blust (R) – District 62, Guilford
Occupation: Attorney, Ivey McClellan
Representative John Blust was appointed to the NC House on 9/17/24 to replace Representative John Faircloth, who resigned on 9/6/24. Representative Blust is not new to the NC Legislature, having served in the NC Senate from 1996-1998 and in the NC House from 2001-2018. He holds a B.S in Business Administration and Accounting from UNC-Chapel Hill and a J.D. from UNC School of Law.
Representative Blust is not currently assigned to any standing or study committees.
Bills sponsored / introduced in 2024: None
Helpful Links:
Jerry “Alan” Branson (R) – District 59, Guilford
Occupation: Owns a family trucking company
Representative Alan Branson was appointed to the NC House on 4/16/24 to replace Representative Jon Hardister, who resigned on 4/8/24. Representative Branson has experience in local politics, serving on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and also co-owns a family trucking business.
Representative Branson is currently a member of the following standing committees:
Education – Universities
Finance
Judiciary 2
Local Government
UNC Board of Governors Nominations
Bills sponsored / introduced in 2024:
HB980 - Medical Information/Foster Care/Minors
Roboro Summary: The bill amends North Carolina law to allow parents or guardians to access their minor children's medical records for specific health services, including those related to venereal diseases, pregnancy, substance abuse, and emotional disturbance, with certain exceptions. It mandates written consent from a parent or legal guardian before administering vaccines under emergency use authorization to individuals under 18. The bill also updates definitions related to medical records and parental consent, and specifies that health care practitioners cannot restrict a parent's access to their minor or dependent's medical records without a court order. Additionally, it outlines that providing medical records to a parent should not delay treatment in medical emergencies and establishes penalties for health care practitioners who violate these provisions. Furthermore, the bill appropriates $10,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the fiscal year 2024-2025 to implement these changes, with the act taking effect on October 1, 2024.
HB1024 - Nonconsensual Booting and Towing Reform
Roboro Summary: The bill introduces comprehensive reforms to the laws governing nonconsensual booting and towing in North Carolina. It establishes definitions for key terms such as 'boot,' 'nonconsensual tow,' and 'nonconsensual towing business.' A Towing and Recovery Commission is created within the Department of Public Safety, tasked with issuing permits, setting maximum fees, maintaining a database, and handling public complaints. The bill mandates specific signage requirements for private property owners and outlines penalties for noncompliance. It also sets forth rules for towing practices, including distance limitations for vehicle storage and prohibitions on booting occupied vehicles. The Commission is required to submit annual reports and recommend its continuation or sunset every four years. Additionally, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the Highway Fund to implement its provisions.
Helpful Links:
Tracy Clark (D) – District 57, Guilford
Occupation: Marketing Executive
Representative Tracy Clark was appointed to the NC House on 8/6/24 to replace Representative Ashton Wheeler Clemons, who resigned on 8/6/24. Representative Clark earned her bachelor’s degree, MBA, and MSIS from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has over 15 years of marketing experience across financial services, technology, and online media sectors.
Representative Clark is currently a member of the following standing committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations, Education
Commerce
Education- Community Colleges
Education - Universities
Bills sponsored / introduced in 2024: None
Helpful Links:
Robert T. “Bobby” Drakeford (D) – District 107, Mecklenburg
Occupation: Real estate developer, The Drakeford Company
Representative Bobby Drakeford was appointed to the NC House on 9/24/24 to replace Representative Kelly M. Alexander, Jr., who passed away. Representative Drakeford holds a B.S. in Accounting from Elon University, an MBA from Wake Forest University, and a JD from UNC School of Law. He is the founder and CEO of the real estate firm, The Drakeford Company.
Representative Drakeford is not currently assigned to any standing or study committees.
Bills sponsored / introduced in 2024: None
Helpful Links:
Blair Eddins (R) – District 94, Alexander/Wilkes
Occupation: Auditor
Representative Blair Eddins was appointed to the NC House on 9/24/24 to replace Representative Jeffrey Elmore, who resigned on 9/13/24. Representative Eddins earned his bachelor’s degree from NC State University. Alongside experience in farming and agriculture, he has owned and operated several successful businesses.
Representative Eddins is not currently assigned to any standing or study committees.
Bills sponsored / introduced in 2024: None
Helpful Links:
Heather H. Rhyne (R) – District 97, Lincoln
Occupation: Pharmacist
Representative Heather Rhyne was appointed to the NC House on 8/19/24 to replace Representative Jason Saine, who resigned on 8/12/24. Representative Rhyne earned her pharmacy degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and has been practicing as a licensed pharmacist since graduating in 1998. She has also served on the Lincoln County Board of Education.
Representative Rhyne is a member of the following standing committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations, Education
Education – K-12
Health
Local Government
Bills sponsored / introduced in 2024: None
Helpful Links:
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