Dan has worked hard his entire life to help provide North Carolinians with opportunities to succeed. A lifelong North Carolinian, Dan attended NC public schools in Robeson County before getting his Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from North Carolina Central University in 1970. He went on to graduate from the Duke University School of Law in 1973, was admitted to the NC State Bar and has practiced law in Wake County since then.

 

First elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1980, Dan has spent his entire career in public office fighting for the interests of working families: investing in our public schools; creating new jobs and economic growth; protecting our environment; supporting access to quality, affordable healthcare; and ensuring senior citizens have the services they need to age with dignity. Dan was elected Speaker of the House in 1991, ran for United States Senate in 2002, and returned to the House in 2006 before joining the Senate in 2009.

 

In addition to serving as Speaker of the House, Dan has served as Chairman of the Judiciary and Appropriations committees. He served three terms as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures and served on the executive committee of the Southern Legislative Conference. Dan is a founding partner of Blue LLP, a law firm in Raleigh, NC. He holds nine honorary degrees and is past Chairman of the Duke University Board of Trustees.

 

Senator Blue resides in Raleigh with his wife, Edna. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren. He attends Davie Street Presbyterian Church, where he serves as an Elder.