RALEIGH — The veteran political activist who runs the North Carolina Democratic Party's day-to-day operations is leaving after nearly four years on the job.

Party Executive Director Kimberly Reynolds announced Tuesday she would step down April 1. She said she'll stick around as a senior adviser until the party hires her replacement.

Reynolds helped lead the party while it made political inroads following setbacks earlier this decade. Roy Cooper was elected governor in 2016 and Democrats earned enough seats in 2018 to end the Republicans' veto-proof majorities in the state House and Senate.

Party Chair Wayne Goodwin says Reynolds' leadership, calm attitude and humor were "instrumental in turning our party around."

Reynolds says in a news release she will now begin a company that would "foster the next generation of Democratic leaders."