State Representative Angela Bryant will resign so she can be the new District 4 senator following the death last month of Ed Jones.

Bryant received 324 executive committee votes to 312 of Vance County Commissioner Terry Garrison, who had to leave tonight’s Senate District 4 meeting to be at his dying mother’s bedside at Duke University.

The only split among the 10 executive committee members — two for each county in the district — came from the Halifax County delegation. George Branch cast his 91 votes for Bryant while Vernon Bryant cast his 91 votes for Garrison.

Mr. Bryant said following the meeting he felt Garrison would do the best job but pledged his support Representative Bryant.In nominating Representative Bryant, Nash County member Mary Wells said, “There’s no way she can replace Senator Jones. She can carry on the legacy he has left.”

Wells said Bryant is a proven legislator with a long list of introduced bills. “She can begin working effectively as a senator without missing a beat.”

Vance County member Rick Brand nominated Garrison, citing his long service to North Carolina through his tenure at Vance-Granville Community College to his work in real estate and through his long service as a county commissioner. “He is persistent and patient,” he said, traits that would serve well with Republican control.

The voting went swiftly and no caucuses were called.

Bryant speaks following the nomination.

After winning the nomination, Representative Bryant said she plans to meet fellow representatives to discuss legislative needs. “I want to thank all the delegates. This was a labor of love for your party.”

Representative Bryant said she will be sworn in January 9 in Raleigh and will have a reception following the opening of the legislature.

She said following the meeting she wanted the senate seat, “Because I think I can use my skills better,” and because she believes she can make a bigger impact for the district.

While she expects a tough road with majority control, Representative Bryant said, “I’m accustomed to being a minority. I’ve been a minority my whole life.”

Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman James Pierce, who publicly supported Representative Bryant’s nomination during the meeting, said there was no question she was the right person for the job. “She is a friend of Halifax County and has been the last several years.”

Don Davis, Senate District 4 chair, said the process would start soon to find Bryant’s replacement in the house. The executive committees of Franklin and Nash counties will perform that duty.