Smith appointed to lead NC Legislative Black Caucus

Greenville's Kandie Smith has been appointed chairwoman of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, her office announced on Thursday.

The District 5 state senator representing Pitt and Edgecombe counties earned the gavel after serving one year as the caucus first vice chairwoman.

She succeeds Rep. Kelly Alexander of Charlotte, who is not seeking re-election after more than eight years in the state House. Smith assumed the role on June 26.

“I’ve been running (the caucus) in his absence for some time but he made the decision to go ahead and resign so I’m taking the reins and doing what I have to do. I have already been doing the work,” Smith said.

The caucus is a legislative association comprised of North Carolina lawmakers of African American, American Indian and Asian-American heritage. Since its inception in 1983, the caucus has advocated for the rights and freedoms of marginalized communities across North Carolina, focusing on issues including advancing civil rights, equal access to education, economic development and voting equality.

“The primary focus over the next several months, as it is always, is making sure we are adequately representing minorities in the state of North Carolina and what their thoughts and desires are as well as keeping them informed on what is happening with our state legislature,” Smith said.

The General Assembly ended its short session last month after the House and Senate failed to approve a comprehensive budget adjustment plan. However, the two chambers plan to reconvene periodically, with the next session scheduled for noon, July 29.

Smith said she doubts there will be many additional sessions since it’s summer and legislators have scheduled vacations. It also is an election year and legislators seeking re-election will be campaigning.

“We’re still going to be working and urging people to do what they need to do to get out the vote and things of that nature,” she said.

Anything else we do will all be contingent upon if we’re called back in or not, what they bring up or not, what is on the table.”

The caucus has about 30 members.

“I am honored to step into this role and with the willingness to make sure I am adequately serving the citizens of Pitt and Edgecombe counties and North Carolina as a whole,” Smith said. “I am honored and take this seriously. I will make sure I am effective in this role and that I will work to continue to further the citizens of North Carolina, mainly the minority citizens.

“If they have concerns, questions and issues they have I am going to be open to hear those so we can work with our constituents of North Carolina to help us move forward,” she said.

Smith, a former Greenville mayor and city councilwoman, is completing her first term in the state Senate. She previously served two terms in the state House is being challenged by Republican Alexander J. Paschall in the November election.

Smith said if voters return her to office she will run for the caucus chair position.