Sanford’s Rep. Robert Reives II (D-Chatham, Lee) has been elected the deputy minority leader of the North Carolina House Democratic caucus, the Rant has learned.
When the legislature reconvenes in January, Reives will become the second most powerful Democrat in the state House, after incoming Minority Leader Rep. Darren Jackson, who was elected to the post Monday.
The move represents a swift rise through the political ranks for Reives, whose primary political experience prior to joining the state House was as a vice chair of the Lee County Democratic Party. He was appointed to the House seat in late 2013 following the resignation of Rep. Deb McManus and elected to his first full term in 2014. He was re-elected in November with 57 percent of the vote.
Reives has been quoted extensively in recent days by media across the state (subscription required) as the legislature has taken up and passed some controversial including stripping Governor-elect Roy Cooper of various powers before he takes office and making judicial elections partisan.
Reives’ father, Robert Reives Sr., serves as a member of the Lee County Board of Commissioners.