Veteran State Representative Stephen Ross To Retire in 2026
State Representative Stephen Ross announced his retirement at a public event on December 3, ending a long run in local government that will conclude with the expiration of his term in 2026. His departure creates an open seat that will reshape local campaign dynamics and leave Alamance County without a long tenured voice in the state legislature.
State Representative Stephen Ross, a Republican who has represented portions of Alamance County for 12 of the past 14 years, announced on December 3 that he will retire at the end of his current term in 2026. The announcement came at Alamance Community College during the college's annual Public Officials Breakfast, delivered at the conclusion of his legislative report to the gathering.
Ross, 74, has deep roots in Burlington and county government. He served on Burlington city council from 1995 to 2003, was elected mayor and served from 2003 to 2007, and returned to a council seat in 2009, serving until he ran for the state House. He was first elected to the state House in 2012 and won reelection in 2014, 2016 and 2018. He was later unseated by Democrat Ricky Hurtado, then regained the seat in a rematch and won reelection in 2024. By the time his term ends after the November 2026 election, Ross will have served 12 years in the state House and 15 years on the city council, including four years as mayor.
Asked after the breakfast about the timing of his decision, Ross said, "I always said I would know when it was time [to step aside]. I just felt that time was now." He told attendees that when he began his legislative career he envisioned serving a maximum of six terms, a benchmark he will reach at the end of 2026.
Ross's retirement matters locally because it opens a competitive seat in a district that has swung between parties in recent cycles. Local governments and community groups that have worked with Ross on projects and budgets will need to build relationships with new representation. For voters, the open seat will likely accelerate candidate recruitment and fundraising, and increase attention from both parties as they prepare for the 2026 cycle.
Alamance County residents can expect an active primary season and an intensified general election contest for the state House seat. The retirement also highlights questions about institutional continuity, legislative seniority and local influence over state policy priorities.
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