RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - State Sen. Josh Stein has left his seat in the General Assembly in order to run full time as the Democratic Party's nominee for Attorney General.

Stein faces Republican Buck Newton in the general election. The seat is open because current Attorney General Roy Cooper is not seeking re-election. He is the Democratic nominee for governor.

Stein has served in the Senate for seven years.

The legislature is meeting Wednesday for a special session on Charlotte's ordinance that allows transgendered individuals to use public restrooms of the opposite sex. A regular session is scheduled to begin April 25.