Tillis unanimously nominated for second term as House speaker

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina House Republican Caucus unanimously nominated House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, for a second term Saturday at an organizational meeting in Raleigh.

It was a broad show of support for Tillis, who will lead the now-77 member strong supermajority when the General Assembly convenes in January 2013.

"I am honored by the unanimous support of the Republican Caucus," Tillis said.  "During our first two years, we were able to accomplish great things for the state of North Carolina.  I am confident in the exemplary group of individuals we have assembled and their abilities to build on the work we began during our first session in the majority.  I look forward to leading them for the next two years."

Tillis was first elected as speaker of the house in January 2011, becoming only the second Republican in North Carolina history to serve in the position.

During his first term as speaker, the house successfully overrode multiple gubernatorial vetoes despite not having a veto-proof "supermajority."

Republicans added nine seats to their legislative majority during the 2012 elections, growing their number of seats to 77, a historic accomplishment for a caucus that had spent decades in the minority.

"We will still find every opportunity to work across the aisle," Tillis said.  "Our Caucus is eager to work with Gov.-elect McCrory and members of both parties in the House and Senate to make North Carolina a better place to live and work."

WSOC