Jack Hawke has stepped down as president of the Civitas Institute, but he says he has no current plans to move to any political campaign.
Hawke announced to his staff on Wednesday that effective immediately he would no longer head the Raleigh-based conservative think tank that was started by Raleigh businessman Art Pope. But he will retain a part-time senior fellow status, Rob Christensen reports.
"I said from the beginning that I would stay three years," said Hawke, who is 66. "It means I won't have to go into the office every day. It means I can spend more time with my grandchildren."
"I am not leaving to head up any campaign," Hawke said.
But Hawke said he might do some political consulting, although he has said he has not had any conversations with any camapign.
Hawke, a Zebulon resident, is one of the most seasoned Republican strategists in the state. He is a former state Republican Party chairman, managed Jim Martin's 1984 gubernatorial campaign, and once ran for Congress himself.

