Rep. Jeffrey Elmore of Wilkes County has announced his resignation from the North Carolina House, effective Friday afternoon. The announcement came as a surprise, as Elmore’s term was set to expire in a few months, The Associated Press reports.
Elmore, a staunch advocate for Republican K-12 education policies, has served in the House since 2013. He held the position of House Appropriations Committee chairman and was a prominent voice on education issues.
Instead of seeking a seventh term in the House, Elmore ran for lieutenant governor in the Republican primary earlier this year, finishing in the middle of the pack.
In a resignation letter dated September 3, Elmore said his departure was due to “another opportunity,” the details of which he plans to release soon. He also confirmed to the Wilkes Journal-Patriot that he is resigning from his position as a Wilkes County public schools teacher.
Elmore’s letter expressed gratitude for his time in the House, highlighting his involvement in “many great accomplishments” over the past 12 years. He concluded by expressing confidence in North Carolina’s future, predicting “even more great things to come.”
