NEW BERN, (AP) — A North Carolina state House member who served for four years as the No. 2 leader of the chamber has died.

 

A caretaker for state Rep. William Wainwright of Craven County said he died just before 6 p.m. Tuesday at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern. Sheila Godette says Wainwright had medical issues arise in the past two or three months, including heart problems.

 

The 64-year-old Wainwright first joined the Legislature in 1991 and was elected House speaker pro tempore in 2007. He served in the post for four years and was known as a close ally of Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue, who is also from Craven County.

 

Wainwright was most recently deputy minority leader. House Minority Leader Joe Hackney called Wainwright a talented negotiator and a friend.