Rep. Ashton Clemmons discusses her departure from the legislature, efforts to work across the aisle

Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons (Photo: NCGA)

While it can certainly have many appealing aspects, serving in the North Carolina General Assembly can also be a very difficult assignment. The pay is less than minimum wage and has been frozen for decades. The length of sessions has gotten much longer and more unpredictable. And, of course, in recent years, the political rancor and conflict have increased significantly.

One lawmaker who’s managed to successfully negotiate these challenges in recent years is Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons of Guilford County. Recently, however, Wheeler Clemmons announced that she’s resigning from her seat to take on a new job with the UNC system, and this past week she was kind enough to sit down with NC Newline and share some reflections as she prepares to depart.