Sen. Kinnaird calls it quits mid-term

RALEIGH (AP) — A veteran Democratic state senator is leaving the General Assembly and will work on an effort to ensure people have the photo identification needed soon to vote in North Carolina.

Sen. Ellie Kinnaird of Carrboro submitted her resignation Monday. Kinnaird was first elected in 1996 and mostly represented Chatham and Orange counties.

She says she’s leaving in the middle of her ninth term, in part, because of her frustration in getting bills passed in the Republican-controlled legislature.

The 81-year-old retired attorney also plans to work with an organization that will use a network of church, sorority and other groups that will help citizens obtain photo IDs. Kinnaird opposed vehemently the bill signed into law last week by Gov. Pat McCrory.

Democrats in her 23rd Senate District will choose her successor.