Marc Basnight


Office District Status
Senate President Pro Tempore N.C. Senate 1 Incumbent
Party In Office Since Term Ends
Democrat 1984 2010
Level of Government  
N.C. Senate  
Date of Birth Birthplace Now Lives In
May 13, 1947 Manteo, NC Manteo, NC

Synopsis

Basnight comes from a family of "high tiders" who have lived on the Outer Banks since the 1700s. He succeeded his uncle in the state Senate in 1984 and was elected president pro tempore in 1993. In the years since, he's built a powerful political machine. His major accomplishments have been creating the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and helping pass $3.1 billion in bonds for state colleges and the state lottery. He also appoints more than 700 members of state boards and frequently recommends candidates for state jobs. In 2001, he considered a run for the U.S. Senate.

Trivia

Andy Griffith once rented a home from his parents.

Endorsements

Biography

Marital Status
Widowed
Spouse
Sandy
Children
Daughters, Vicki and Caroline

Marc Basnight is the president pro tempore of the North Carolina Senate and one of the most powerful political figures in the state. 

Family 

Basnight comes from a family of "high tiders" who have lived on the Outer Banks since the 1700s. 

He and his wife, Sandy, had two daughters, Vicki and Caroline.

Sandy Basnight died after a long illness on June 10, 2007.

Occupation

In 1996, Basnight and his family opened the Lone Cedar Cafe on the causeway between Manteo and Nag's Head on the Outer Banks. The seafood restaurant employed about 100 people and was popular among locals. Actor Andy Griffith was among the regulars.

When the Senate was not in session, Basnight could often be found at the restaurant, helping clear tables or serve drinks. His wife, Sandy, and daughter, Vicki, ran the restaurant.

In the early morning on May 1, 2007, the Lone Cedar Cafe burned to the ground in a two-alarm fire, causing an estimated $1 million in damage. Basnight pledged to rebuild it.

State officials later determined the fire was caused by arson, but they said Basnight was not under suspicion. 

Political Career

In 1984, Basnight succeeded his uncle in the state Senate.

In 1993, he was elected president pro tempore. He has served a record eight terms in that position, building a powerful political machine.

His major accomplishments in office have been creating the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and helping pass $3.1 billion in bonds for state colleges and the state lottery.

He also appoints more than 700 members of state boards and frequently recommends candidates for state jobs.

Possible Senate run

In 2001, he considered a run for the U.S. Senate.

Compiled from research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith and Jerry Allegood.

Occupation

Contractor
Basnight Construction Co.
Restaurant owner
Lone Cedar Cafe




Community Involvement:
Not specified.

Contact Info

N.C. Senate
16 W. Jones St., Room 2007, Raleigh, N.C. 27601-2808
919-733-6854




Education







Military

Not specified.
You must be logged in to post a comment on this blog. If you already have an N&O online user account, click here to log in. Otherwise, click here to register (it's free!).

Who's Who

Most recently updated:

Edward Thomas Brady

N.C. Supreme Court Justice

Mark Martin

N.C. Supreme Court Justice

Paul Newby

N.C. Supreme Court Justice

Kenneth Lewis

Fundraiser

Richard Morgan

Former House Speaker

Robin Hudson

N.C. Supreme Court Justice

Patricia Timmons-Goodson

N.C. Supreme Court Justice

Don Hobart

Adviser

George Holding

U.S. Attorney

Thomas Wright

Fmr. representative

Jim Black

Former speaker

Don Beason

Former lobbyist

Harvey Gantt

Former mayor

Eva Clayton

Former U.S. Representative

John Edwards

Former U.S. Senator

Jesse Helms

Former U.S. Senator

Jim Hunt

Former governor

Mike Easley

Fmr. Governor

Garrett Perdue

Lobbyist

Norris Tolson

Politico