State representative Stephen Ross, a Republican who has represented portions of Alamance County for 12 of the past 14 years, announced this morning that he will retire at the end of his current term in 2026.
Ross, 74, made the announcement at ACC’s annual Public Officials Breakfast at the community college at the conclusion of his legislative report to the gathering.
Ross earlier served on Burlington’s city council for eight years (1995-2003) and then four years as mayor (2003-2007) before losing to then-councilman Ronnie Wall in 2007. Ross made an encore run, successfully, for a regular seat on Burlington’s city council in 2009, serving until he ran for state house.
He was first elected to the state house in 2012 and won reelection in 2014, 2016, and 2018, before being ousted by Democrat Ricky Hurtado in 2020. Ross won a rematch in 2020 and won reelection in 2024.
He will have served 12 years in the state house by the time of the November 2026 election and 15 years on the city council, four as mayor.
Interviewed after ACC’s breakfast Wednesday morning, Ross recalled, “I always said I would know when it was time [to step aside]. I just felt that time was now.”
He said when he started his legislative career, he felt that he would serve a maximum of six terms, which is what he will have done when his term expires at the end of 2026.
