The rise, the fall Jim Black’s desire for power seen as factor

By James Romoser JOURNAL RALEIGH BUREAU

RALEIGH

The monumental political career of Jim Black came to an end yesterday with a brief letter of resignation read aloud on the floor of the N.C. House of Representatives.

The resignation completed the former House speaker’s two-year fall from the height of his power to the center of a corruption scandal.

Overcome by legal troubles, Black wrote that he leaves the House "with both sadness and anticipation." Today, he is expected to plead guilty in federal court to a corruption-related charge.

In his 20 years in the General Assembly, including eight years as House speaker, Black showed a relentless drive to acquire power and a willingness to act aggressively to hold on to it. Those qualities made him one of the most influential people in North Carolina.

They also contributed to his downfall.

"It’s a sad day for him and his family and for the institution," said Rep. Hugh Holliman, the House majority leader and a Davidson County Democrat.

"It certainly didn’t start with Jim Black," Holliman added. "I think we’re certainly more conscious, certainly, of the things that have happened with him. We just learned that we’re here to do the people’s business."

Black, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, held the House speakership, one of the most powerful posts in state government, for a record four terms. Before that, as the Democratic Party’s chief fundraiser, he helped the Democrats regain a majority in the House. And throughout his career, he was instrumental in the passage of many key laws, including the creation of the N.C. Lottery. (more…)