Kinston, N.C. –  Lenoir County was recently joined with Craven and Beaufort counties during the Senate Redistricting process.  Previously, Lenoir and Wayne have been grouped together.

When asked about the new county grouping for his senate district, Perry replied, “All Senate seats belong to the people, not individual lawmakers, regardless of county groupings. The people honored me when they chose me to serve and I hope they allow me the opportunity to return.”

Senator Jim Perry was unanimously elected by his peers to serve as Senate Majority Whip in his first full term. He Serves as Chairman of Healthcare, Chairman of Appropriations on Health and Human Services, and Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Storm Related River Debris and Damage.

When asked about his prospects for re-election, Perry offered these words: “I don’t take it for granted and I hope to have the honor of being re-elected, but hope is not a strategy. Elections are a full contact sport and I will not be outworked, or outspent on the campaign trail. I believe the best strategy for re-election, however, is to do a good job while you are in office. I’m not going to be outworked there, either.”

Perry has been an unapologetic advocate for rural areas. He has also been a prolific campaign fundraiser in the NC Senate, reporting over $1,500,000 of receipts in the last biennium. 

“The majority party sets policy and writes the budget. If I want to help the rural areas, I need to work hard to raise money to ensure we can be competitive, and win elections. I have no interest in being in the Senate forever, but I do want to have an impact while I am here.”