N.C. Rep. makes announcement Tuesday

BREVARD—North Carolina Representative Cody Henson (R) says he will not seek re-election in 2020.

He made the announcement on Tuesday on his personal Facebook page.

Henson was summoned earlier this month by the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office on cyberstalking charges.

Henson spoke of his children and how fast they are growing up when he said he would not seek re-election. Henson was re-elected to his second term in November 2018.

“With that said, I wanted to let you all know that I will not be seeking re-election in 2020,” Henson said. “With Bo starting school soon I believe it is in the best interest of my children to step away from the political scene for now and be there during these exciting times in their lives.

“I believe this district will find another individual who is ready and able to fight for our mountain values and be a voice we need to make sure we do not go back to the days of WNC being left behind. I will stand ready to assist my successor in any way possible.”

Henson did not mention resigning his office, although some democratic headquarters have called for his resignation.

Henson represents the North Carolina House of Representatives 113th District, which includes Polk, Transylvania and parts of Henderson counties.

A judge recently sided with Henson’s wife, Kelsey Henson and issued a domestic violence protective order against him earlier this year.

The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation following Henson’s wife’s complaint and issued a summons to court in early March.

Kelsey Henson petitioned the court earlier this year, saying that her husband was repeatedly texting outside the hours they agreed to communicate about their children. Kelsey Henson has also said she felt like she could not get help because of her husband’s position.

District Attorney Greg Newman recused himself from prosecuting the case because he supported Henson during his most recent re-election. Newman told a news station he plans to ask North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein’s office to prosecute the Henson’s case.

Kelsey Henson claimed that she has been subjected to levels of harassment to such a level as to inflict substantial emotional distress, with her placed in an ongoing fear for her safety and that of her children. She has reportedly made three calls to 911 about her husband over the last year. She has also said the abuse was not physical.

North Carolina statutes define electronic communications become the crime of cyberstalking when done repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of abusing, threatening, terrifying, harassing or embarrassing any person. Cyberstalking is a class 2 misdemeanor in North Carolina.

The Polk County Democratic Party in Columbus called for Henson’s resignation.

Following is Henson’s full statement regarding him not seeking re-election on his personal Facebook page Tuesday:

Friends,

I have said this many times but it truly has been the honor of my lifetime to serve you in the NC House for the past 2 terms. We have been able to accomplish many things since first being elected that will make our district and our great state even better places to live, work and do business. Since December 2015, I have promised to represent Transylvania, Polk and Southern Henderson Counties with the mountain values that were instilled in me early in life and that people from around the world come to our small corner of North Carolina to experience.

As you all know I have two beautiful children that are growing up quicker than any parent would like. When I started this journey Bo was only 5 months old and Presley wasn’t even thought of. Now Bo is 3 and Presley is going on 8 months and I couldn’t be more blessed with them. With that said, I wanted to let you all know that I will not be seeking re-election in 2020. With Bo starting school soon I believe it is in the best interest of my children to step away from the political scene for now and be there during these exciting times in their lives.

I believe this district will find another individual who is ready and able to fight for our mountain values and be a voice we need to make sure we do not go back to the days of WNC being left behind. I will stand ready to assist my successor in any way possible.

Until then, I look forward to continuing to serve you for the remainder of this term and continue our work on school safety, addressing immigration, continued pay increases for our teachers and a host of other issues this General Assembly is addressing.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for all the support you have shown me and my family over the years and the countless prayers on my behalf. It truly is an honor to be your voice in the NC House of Representatives.