Richard T. Morgan
Encyclopedia
Richard Timothy Morgan was a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly
representing the state's fifty-second House district, including constituents in Moore County
, for eight terms. Morgan is an insurance broker and cattle farmer from Pinehurst, North Carolina
.
In 2003, the House found itself evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Morgan led a Republican faction that agreed to form a coalition with the Democrats. The coalition elected two "co-speakers" of the House for the first time in state history, for the North Carolina General Assembly of 2003-2004
. Speaker Jim Black
, a Democrat, was called the "Democratic Speaker," and Morgan was called the "Republican Speaker." A number of Republicans—but less than a majority of the Republican caucus—considered Morgan's actions tantamount to betraying his party.
Rep. Morgan's actions gave him and Speaker Black control of redistricting in 2003, and allowed him to make some appointments to important committees. As Republican Leader, Morgan had also essentially run a statewide campaign leading to the election of five new Republicans and one loss for a net gain of five to help Republicans reach a majority. The state was said to have run more smoothly and more efficiently with the new leadership.
Rep. Morgan was removed from the North Carolina Republican Party's Executive Committee in May 2004 for "party disloyalty." In the 2006 election he was defeated by a Republican opponent in the primary. That candidate, Joe Boylan, received major financial backing from party activist Art Pope
.
In 2008, Morgan ran for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction
, losing to June Atkinson
. In 2010, he ran for the State Senate but lost in the Republican primary to incumbent Harris Blake
.
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
representing the state's fifty-second House district, including constituents in Moore County
Moore County, North Carolina
Moore County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 74,769. Its county seat is Carthage.- History :The county was formed in 1784 from Cumberland County...
, for eight terms. Morgan is an insurance broker and cattle farmer from Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst, North Carolina
Pinehurst is a village in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 9,706 at the 2000 census. It is the location of the Pinehurst Resort, venue of the 1936 PGA Championship, the 1951 Ryder Cup. The host site for the 1999, 2005,& 2014 U.S. Open Golf Championships, the 2008 U.S....
.
In 2003, the House found itself evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Morgan led a Republican faction that agreed to form a coalition with the Democrats. The coalition elected two "co-speakers" of the House for the first time in state history, for the North Carolina General Assembly of 2003-2004
North Carolina General Assembly of 2003-2004
Members of the North Carolina General Assembly, 2003–2004 session were elected in November 2002. The 2002 legislative elections were conducted under an interim redistricting map following the 2000 census; a more permanent redistricting map was passed in November 2003 for use through 2010.-State...
. Speaker Jim Black
James B. Black
Dr. James "Jim" Boyce Black is a member of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and a former Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly who represented the state's 100th House district, including constituents in Mecklenburg County...
, a Democrat, was called the "Democratic Speaker," and Morgan was called the "Republican Speaker." A number of Republicans—but less than a majority of the Republican caucus—considered Morgan's actions tantamount to betraying his party.
Rep. Morgan's actions gave him and Speaker Black control of redistricting in 2003, and allowed him to make some appointments to important committees. As Republican Leader, Morgan had also essentially run a statewide campaign leading to the election of five new Republicans and one loss for a net gain of five to help Republicans reach a majority. The state was said to have run more smoothly and more efficiently with the new leadership.
Rep. Morgan was removed from the North Carolina Republican Party's Executive Committee in May 2004 for "party disloyalty." In the 2006 election he was defeated by a Republican opponent in the primary. That candidate, Joe Boylan, received major financial backing from party activist Art Pope
Art Pope
James Arthur "Art" Pope is a North Carolina political figure, businessman, attorney and philanthropist. He is CEO and Board Chairman of Variety Wholesalers, Inc and President and Chairman of the John William Pope Foundation....
.
In 2008, Morgan ran for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction
The North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction is the elected head of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and oversees the public school systems of the state. The Superintendent is currently an elected member of the North Carolina Council of State, chosen in a partisan...
, losing to June Atkinson
June Atkinson
June St. Clair Atkinson was elected North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction on November 3, 2004, in a race that was decided by the North Carolina General Assembly on August 23, 2005. She was re-elected in 2008. Dr...
. In 2010, he ran for the State Senate but lost in the Republican primary to incumbent Harris Blake
Harris Blake
Harris Blake is a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's twenty-second Senate district, which includes constituents in Harnett, Lee and Moore counties. Blake is a real estate agent from Pinehurst, North Carolina....
.