One of the most powerful figures in the North Carolina General Assembly says he will not run again next year.
Republican Sen. Tom Apodaca of Hendersonville announced his decision against seeking re-election Monday, the day before candidate filing for 2016 begins.
Apodaca is chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, controlling the flow of legislation in the chamber. He's been Senate leader Phil Berger's closest political ally and a consistently strong fundraiser for GOP senators.
Apodaca joined the legislature in 2003 as Democrats held their decades-long control of the Senate. He became a top chamber leader when Republicans took over in 2011.
Apodaca told The Associated Press he's stepping down primarily because he thinks Republicans have completed what they set out to accomplish in the Legislature.
