Another one of the five North Carolina House Democrats who voted for the Republican-backed state government budget this year to override Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue's veto will not seek re-election.
The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reported Monday that Rep. Tim Spear has decided to step down after his third term expires at the end of 2012. The 59-year-old former Washington County Clerk of Superior Court said he wanted to spend more time with his grandchildren and help his aging parents.
Spear's home was drawn into the district of Republican Rep. Bill Cook in the round of redistricting approved by the General Assembly this summer.
Nine-term Democratic Rep. Bill Owens of Elizabeth City already announced he wouldn't run again in 2012.
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