Rep. Paul Tine, who represents the 6^th District in the N.C. House of Representatives as an unaffiliated legislator, will not seek re-election next year.

Washington resident Ashley Woolard has announced he will be a candidate for the 6^th District in the state House during the 2016 election cycle.

The 6^th District includes northern Beaufort County and all of Hyde, Washington and Dare counties.

“It’s been a very difficult decision to step away from I job that I feel like I’m effective at, and it’s one of those jobs you’re honored to have. It’s difficult to step away from people’s support, but with two young boys and a family, sometimes you’ve got to put the family first. So, that’s what I’m doing,” Tine said Wednesday.

Tine, in his second two-year term, changed his party affiliation from Democrat to unaffiliated in January. During 2015 session of the Legislature, Tine was the primary author of 14 bills that became law on their own, by being incorporated into other bills or by substituting language in Senate bills.

In a statement released Wednesday morning, Tine wrote, “Since returning home two weeks ago, I have come to realize that my absence has taken a heavy toll on my family.  It is important that I take the time while my children are still young to be a father and husband.”

Cathy Gaynor, chairwoman of the Beaufort County Democratic Party, believes there may be another factor behind Tine’s decision not to seek re-election — his decision to change his party affiliation from Democrat to unaffiliated, making it difficult for him to obtain support from voters. The lack of a party affiliation may have proven hard for Tine to overcome, according to Gaynor.

“I think in Beaufort County — I can’t speak for the rest of the county — but I think in Beaufort County it may have been a little difficult because the parties are pretty strong. People in Beaufort County are kind of a Democrat or you are a Republican,” Gaynor said. “I don’t know how many independents we have, but I think that may have posed a problem in Beaufort County.”

Tine’s choice to drop his affiliation with the Democratic Party likely affected his support in Beaufort County, she said.

“I know there were a great deal of Democrats in Beaufort County who were deeply disappointed in his decision (to change affiliation). Some people felt like it was almost a stab in the back,” Gaynor said.

Tine said he is proud of the work he has done for eastern North Carolina and the state while in the General Assembly. Tine includes the following among “important wins” for eastern North Carolina:

• setting up permanent funding for dredging waterways;

• helping resolved the Bonner Bridge dispute;

• modifying legislation so existing rural hospitals can reopen should they close;

• helping revitalize the oyster industry and fostering better water quality;

• increasing the state’s investment in its ferry system;

• requiring a statewide plan for broadband infrastructure development;

• creating a community college satellite campus in Washington County.

Woolard, the Republican who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress in 2010 to represent the state’s 1^st Congressional District, said Tine’s decision not to seek re-election was not a factor in his decision to run for the seat now held by Tine.

“Had Paul run as a Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated, I had already made a decision to run against him if he had stayed in the race,” Woolard said Wednesday. “I believe that we need a true Republican from this area working with the majority in Raleigh to bring effective policy back here to the Down East.”

Woolard said one of the main reasons he is running is because “we do not have effective leadership in Raleigh.”

“We need somebody from this area that can go to Raleigh and bring back attention to this area. … My main priority will be making sure this part of the state is represented. Regrettably, I think that’s what’s happening. I do not think that this area has adequate representation in the General Assembly. I believe I am the person who can go to Raleigh and make sure this part of the state is not ignored,” Woolard said.

The filing period for the 2016 elections in North Carolina begins Dec. 1 and ends Dec. 21.