If elected by the full House when it convenes Jan. 24, Hackney would serve a two-year term as speaker. One of the most powerful people in state government, the speaker chooses chairmen for House committees, referees disputes among House members and leads negotiations with the Senate and with Gov. Mike Easley.

Democrats have a 68-52 majority in the House, so Hackney is expected to win the election unless Democrats splinter.

Hackney’s nomination signals the end of a record-tying eight-year run by outgoing Speaker Jim Black, a Mecklenburg County Democrat. Black, dogged by ongoing state and federal criminal investigations, decided not to run for speaker again.

Hackney, 61, has served in the House since 1981, most recently as the House majority leader under Black. Known as a smart, hard-working lawyer, he has pushed for tougher ethics laws and for pro-environmental laws.

Other candidates who sought the nomination included Reps. Dan Blue of Raleigh, Jim Crawford of Oxford, Drew Saunders of Mecklenburg County and Mickey Michaux of Durham.

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