FAYETTEVILLE — Rep. Greg Leding, D-Fayetteville, will run for the state Senate District 4 seat in next year's election. If elected, he would succeed Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, D-Fayetteville, who announced Friday he will not seek another term.
Leding's decision will open a vacancy in House District 86, one of the few Democratic seats remaining in the state House. Leding said Monday he expects opposition in next year's Democratic primary for the Senate seat and also would not be surprised to see a primary contest for House District 86.
Leding is known statewide as one of the most outspoken opponents of legislation that now allows concealed carry permit holders to carry their handguns onto state college and university campuses. Legislation allowing that was introduced by fellow Fayetteville delegation member Rep. Charlie Collins, R-Fayetteville. Ledings most persistent legislative priorities, though, consist of other issues. In fact, he stepped down as House minority leader in 2015 so he could devote more time to those priorities, he said at the time.
"I've spent four terms in the house fighting wage theft, for affordable housing, tenant rights and paid family leave," Leding said Monday. "Now I want to fight for those issues in the Senate."