Four-term incumbent state Rep. Lucy Allen, D-Franklin, is leaving the House. Gov. Bev Perdue appointed Allen to the N.C. Utilities Commission effective April 12.
That makes Allen the 12th Democrat in the General Assembly either to resign or retire this year. Allen is chairwoman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee
Her departure could edge the district even more into the swing category. The Civitas Institute’s partisan index ranks House 49 as “D+3,” meaning Democrats have a slight advantage there. The district encompasses all or part of Franklin, Halifax, and Nash counties.
In 2008, Allen beat her opponent handily ? 59 percent to 41 percent. She pervailed by an almost identical margin in 2006.
Allen’s replacement has yet to be announced. Glen Bradley is the only candidate on the Republican side vying for the seat.
