Rep. Darren Jackson, leading HB2 foe, to lead House Democrats

State Rep. Darren Jackson, a Wake County Democrat, was chosen Monday to be the next House minority leader.

Jackson is one of the leading House opponents of a law that limited LGBT rights and nullified a Charlotte ordinance on transgender people’s bathroom choice, known as HB2.

Jackson, a lawyer, was elected this year to his fifth House term. He was active raising money for the Democratic House caucus and recruiting Democrats to run for House seats this year. He succeeds Rep. Larry Hall of Durham. Hall said last week he would not seek a third term.

House Democrats fell short of their goal this year of winning enough seats to break the Republican’s veto-proof majority. Democrats needed to gain four House seats, but only netted one.

Rep. Duane Hall, a Raleigh Democrat, said Jackson has always been a leader in the caucus - someone members could go to to get bills explained.

“I think we made a great choice,” Hall said.

This story was originally published December 19, 2016 at 5:10 PM.