Dan Blue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dan Blue
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| Minority Leader of the North Carolina Senate | |
| In office March 2, 2014 – January 1, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Martin Nesbitt |
| Succeeded by | Sydney Batch |
| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 14th district |
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| Assumed office May 19, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Vernon Malone |
| Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office January 1, 1991 – January 1, 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Josephus Mavretic |
| Succeeded by | Harold Brubaker |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office November 2, 2006 – May 19, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Bernard Allen |
| Succeeded by | Rosa Gill |
| Constituency | 33rd district |
| In office January 1, 1981 – January 1, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | William Creech Robert Farmer William Holroyd Joseph Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Bernard Allen (redistricted) |
| Constituency | 15th district (1981–1983) 21st district (1983–2003) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Daniel Terry Blue Jr.
April 18, 1949 Lumberton, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Edna |
| Education | North Carolina Central University (AB) Duke University (JD) |
Daniel Terry Blue Jr. (born April 18, 1949) is an American politician and lawyer. He has served as a member of the North Carolina Senate, representing the 14th Senate district. He was also the Senate minority leader, which means he led the main opposition party in the Senate.
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Early Life and Education
Dan Blue graduated from North Carolina Central University. He then earned a law degree from the Duke University School of Law. After finishing his studies, he started his own law practice in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Political Career
Serving in the North Carolina Senate
In 2009, local members of the Democratic Party chose Dan Blue to fill a vacant seat in the North Carolina Senate. This happened after Senator Vernon Malone passed away while in office. Blue officially joined the Senate on May 19, 2009.
In 2014, his fellow Democratic senators elected him as the Senate minority leader. This leadership role became open when Senator Martin L. Nesbitt had to step down due to health reasons. After the 2014 elections, Blue was elected to a full term as minority leader.
Serving in the North Carolina House
Before joining the Senate, Dan Blue served in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He was a representative from 1981 to 2002 and again from 2006 until his Senate appointment in 2009. During these years, he represented a part of Raleigh, the state capital.
From 1991 to 1994, Blue held the important position of Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives. He was the leader of the House until the Democratic Party lost control to the Republican Party. Dan Blue was the first—and so far, the only—African American to serve as Speaker in North Carolina's history.
From 1998 to 1999, Blue also served as the first African-American President of the National Conference of State Legislatures. This organization helps state lawmakers across the country.
In 1999, the Democrats regained the majority in the House. Blue tried to become Speaker again by forming a group with some Democrats and Republicans. However, his effort was unsuccessful, falling just two votes short. He remained in the House until 2002. That year, he ran in the Democratic primary election for the U.S. Senate. He finished second in that race.
In 2006, Dan Blue returned to the North Carolina House of Representatives. His successor, Bernard Allen, passed away while running for re-election without any opponents. The local Democratic Party selected Blue to take Allen's place. They also decided that the votes cast for Allen in the election would count for Blue.
Governor Mike Easley then officially appointed Blue to the legislature on November 2, 2006. He served the remaining months of Allen's term and then began his own full term in January 2007.
Other Work and Personal Life
Other Professional Roles
Beyond his political career, Dan Blue has also served on the board of trustees for Duke University. In 2009, he was elected chairman of the board, becoming the first African American to hold this position at Duke.
After leaving the North Carolina House of Representatives, Blue returned to his private law practice. He also worked as a lobbyist, helping cities with issues related to energy.
Family Life
Dan Blue is married to Edna, and they have three children together. Their daughter, Kanika, is a law professor at Campbell Law School. Kanika is married to Jeff Capel III, who is a college basketball coach. Blue's son, Dan III, ran for North Carolina State Treasurer in the 2016 elections.
