RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - He has served Davidson and Montgomery counties for a decade and a half, but this term in the North Carolina Senate will be Stan Bingham's last.

On Wednesday, the lumber company owner revealed he will retire from his District 33 seat when the session ends.

Bingham is a powerful Republican who co-chairs the Senate Program Evaluation Committee.

In a statement, Senate Leader Phil Berger described Bingham as a man of "common sense" and "a champion for the people of Davidson County."