Edward H. Wilson Jr. will run for state Senate.

The retired president of Wayne Community College announced today that he will run for the seat of retiring Sen. John Kerr, a Goldsboro Democrat.

"I believe that my experience in education and economic and workforce development and my knowledge of the legislative process that came from working directly with the legislature for nearly 10 years, position me to be an effective voice for the Fifth District and all of Eastern North Carolina," he said in a statement.

Wilson was the N.C. Community College System's President of the Year in 2004. His father served five terms in the legislature.

He faces state Board of Education member Kathy Taft and Snow Hill Mayor Don Davis in the primary. Greenville attorney Marvin Blount III may also run. 

Hat Tip: Jerry Allegood