(The Center Square) – Praise has rolled in, his next steps are unannounced, and retirement is official from the North Carolina General Assembly for Sen. Bobby Hanig of Currituck County.

He stepped away on Monday morning, just over four months before his term officially ended but with nearly all major actions by the Legislature done for the calendar year. Veto votes remain a possibility in both chambers.

Hanig, recognizable as much by his dapper attire as his fierce fight for constituents in the northeastern part of the state inclusive of the Outer Bank, expressed gratitude to family and friends. He said serving with “so many great Americans in North Carolina that truly do care about this great state and this great country” was an honor and privilege.

“Together we have accomplished many great things over the last 10 years, and I will forever cherish the opportunity,” Hanig wrote on social media. “I can assure you that, even though I am stepping down from my official capacity, I will continue fighting for eastern North Carolina values, beliefs and our heritage.”

Dare County’s Jerry Tillett, former senior resident Superior Court judge, is the Republican nominee in Senate District 1 against Democrat Melissa Zehner. The executive committee from the 10 counties in the district will recommend someone to complete the term; first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein can follow through with the appointment within seven days or allow the appointment to take place without his action.

The district includes the counties of Bertie, Camden, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Tyrrell.

Public comments have poured in, including from U.S. Rep. Dr. Greg Murphy, R-N.C.; state Sen. Ted Alexander, R-Cleveland; Dare County Commissioners Vice Chairman Steve House, Currituck County Commissioners Vice Chairwoman Selina Jarvis; Nags Head Mayor Ben Cahoon; and Manteo Commissioner Michael Basnight.

Hanig’s ride in elected office was with rocket force, eventually stalling in the March primary with a third-place finish in the bid for the Republican ticket in the redrawn 1st Congressional District. Edenton’s Laurie Buckhout clipped Beaufort’s Asa Buck in the quest to oppose Rep. Don Davis- D-N.C.

Hanig, of Powells Point, was elected to the Board of Commissioners in Currituck County in 2016; unseated Republican state Rep. Beverly Boswell in the 2018 primary for District 6 in the state House of Representatives, then beat Democrat Tess Judge in November; won reelection in 2020 with 64% of the vote; was appointed in August 2022 to complete the term of retiring state Sen. Bob Steinburg and won the election in November; and was reelected in 2024 with 57.3% of the vote.

“I want to thank Bobby for his service to the state of North Carolina and District 1,” Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, wrote on social media. He’s president pro tempore of the chamber. “I wish him well in his retirement.”

Hanig and Berger, however, clashed of late when it came to coastal interests. Last year’s legislation prohibiting shrimp trawling in the Pamlico, Croatan, Roanoke and Core sounds and within a half mile of the Atlantic Ocean shoreline brought hundreds of fishermen to Raleigh in protest. He also opposed tolls on ferry routes he and many others believe are simply part of the state highway system and essential to Outer Banks residents.