RALEIGH — Former North Carolina House Rep. Jason Saine is joining the Florida-based lobbying powerhouse The Southern Group, according to a press release received by North State Journal.
Saine departed the legislature earlier this year, effective Aug. 12. In his resignation letter to House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain), Saine said his reason for leaving was “to embrace new professional opportunities.” The former Lincoln lawmaker hinted that lobbying might be in his future in an interview with North State Journal just prior to his official end date.
While in the General Assembly representing Lincoln County for the past 13 years, Saine was the senior chair of the House Appropriations Committee (2019-2024) and senior chair of the House Finance Committee (2015-2018).
Saine joins The Southern Group’s North Carolina office, which launched in April and is led by veteran lobbyist Kevin Wilkinson.
“When we started this office, we talked about becoming a force in North Carolina policy and influence,” said Kevin Wilkinson, who leads The Southern Group’s North Carolina office.
“This is a world-class hire that illustrates how The Southern Group is changing the landscape of Tar Heel State advocacy,” said Rachel Cone, Tallahassee Managing Partner and head of the Southern Group’s expansion efforts. “Jason Saine brings a level of knowledge and a host of relationships that will be unmatched in Raleigh.”
In brief interview with North State Journal about the move, Saine said it was “a great fit.”
“Quite frankly, after getting to that point in the legislature where you know it’s time to move on for a new challenge and to find something new and, in talking with multiple opportunities that have come my way, I am very excited to join The Southern Group,” said Saine.
Saine said he’s recently been working outside the state due to the required “cooling-off period” that prohibits former lawmakers from engaging in lobbying work for six months after resigning from the legislature.
“It seemed like the best fit for me personally and professionally, and I’m really thrilled about working with a multistate network,” Saine said. “I’ll be working in North Carolina and in other states, and so that, for me, really fit what I wanted to do next interms of public policy and continuing to work on issues that I care most about and do it for the private sector side.”
Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC-09) also praised Saine joining the Southern Group, saying Saine’s “tenure in the North Carolina House has been nothing short of remarkable.”
“Jason’s ability to navigate complex policy waters with ease and his proven track record of effective advocacy are assets that will continue to serve our state well,” said Hudson. “His work has laid a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation, and I look forward to seeing the impactful contributions he will make in this next chapter of his professional journey.”
The Southern Group’s press release cites Saine’s experience in the General Assembly as “broad and deep,” with a focus on technology, cyber security and artificial intelligence. Adding to that experience, Saine was named co-chair of the National Council of State Legislature’s Standing Committee on Technology and Communications this past year.
Saine is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1995) and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science.