Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, the first woman elected to the Council of State, now will be the longest-serving member of that group of top state officials.
Marshall received the honor of "Oldest Rat in the Barn" at Tuesday's council meeting, along with a wedge of cheese, from outgoing Insurance Commissioner Jim Long, who was passing on the title.
Long, who did not seek re-election, has held his post for 24 years, the third-longest serving state official in North Carolina history.
Among Council of State members, the oldest rat title was first applied to then-Secretary of State Thad Eure, according to Long. He pointed out that "rat" is the last three letters of Democrat. Eure held his office for 52 years, and is the longest serving state office holder. The late Jim Graham served as agriculture commissioner for 36 years.
Marshall remarked how she has moved from the first woman on the council after her 1996 election to now ranking as the most senior member: "It shows a lot of progress in this state."
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