Fragile Fern – Cystopteris fragilis

James Perry (born c. 1972) is a Republican politician who was a member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing the 7th district.^[2] He was appointed to the state Senate on January 31, 2019 by Governor Roy Cooper, to replace Louis Pate, who resigned for health reasons.^[3] He was chosen as Majority Whip for the 2021-2022 Biennium.^[4] Perry was challenged in the 2020 Republican Primary. He won the primary with 66% of the vote and won 86% of the vote in his home county of Lenoir. At the general election he defeated his opponent by 11 points.^{[citation needed]}

Perry served as co-chairman of the powerful Senate finance committee, as well as being elected in Senate Leadership as majority Whip. During his tenure, Perry also served as Chairman of the following Committees: Health Care, Appropriations on Health and Human Services, Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance. Perry developed a reputation as being an affable, cordial lawmaker who could get along with members, regardless of their party or chamber.^[5]

He served as a committee member on the Rules and Operations of the Senate, Commerce and Insurance, Pensions and Retirement and Aging, and State and Local Government Committees.^{[citation needed]} In 2023, Perry sponsored a notable bill to loosen gun restrictions in the state. SB41 removed the requirement for pistol permits, and in limited cases allow concealed carry at religious institutions located on school property.^[6]

Perry is known to be a champion for flood resiliency measures. Perry previously served as Chairman of the Senate’s Select Committee on Storm Related River Debris and Damage in North Carolina.  Perry said data supported using nature based solutions and pushed for consideration of our natural topography, riparian buffers and fluid mechanics.^[7]

Perry’s leadership efforts and research into the areas of nature based solutions have previously been recognized by the National Flood Coalition, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the North Carolina Coastal Federation and the Eastern North Carolina Recovery and Resilience Alliance.^[8]

Perry announced he would not run for re-election in December of 2023,^[9] citing family health issues and inability to offer to time commitment another term would require. He cited similar reasons when he resigned on July 2, 2024.^[10] In a July 15, 2024 interview^[11] Perry shared that his 22 year old daughter's left leg was amputated in January 2024 after a 7 year fight with bone tumors. While discussing the difficulties his daughter and family faced, Perry indicated he would register to lobby and donate his services to raise awareness for amputees. He also stated his daughter planned to advocate for amputees.