With the move, Steinburg loses nearly all of the 11 counties he currently represents in District 1, including Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck, Dare and Perquimans counties.

The new 2nd district extends from the coast to the border of the state of Virginia and its eight counties, Steinburg represented only three: Chowan, Washington and Hyde. The remainder of the new district includes the counties of Carteret, Pamlico, Martin, Halifax and Warren. Sanderson currently represents Carteret and Pamlico.

Steinburg said Thursday he would run for a third term and expects Sanderson to run for a fifth term. They will likely face off for the Republican nomination in a primary scheduled for March 8.

Steinburg said he was disappointed that he no longer represented most of his current district. Steinburg served three terms in the State House before being elected to the Senate in 2018.

“I have a lot of affection for the people who were previously in my district,” said Steinburg. “My preference would have been to continue to represent all of the counties I serve now. But that just didn’t happen.

Steinburg acknowledged that winning a primary against Sanderson would be a tough climb. Sanderson loses Craven County from its current three-county district, but retains its original county, Pamlico, and Carteret County, which is the new district’s largest and heavily Republican.

“There will be a primary,” said Steinburg. “(Sanderson) and I are very good friends and we will face each other in March. Sanderson has represented them for 10 years but people haven’t had a choice in 10 years in terms of Republican. ”

Steinburg, who raised around $ 1.4 million in his successful re-election against Democratic Judge Tess in 2020, said raising money for a primary against Sanderson would not be a problem.

Steinburg plans to hold a fundraiser later this month in Edenton with contribution levels of $ 75 to $ 5,600.

“I plan to work very, very hard,” Steinburg said of the upcoming campaign. “In every campaign I have participated in, I have outperformed my opponent. I will be able to raise enough money to do what I need to do.

Steinburg said campaigning and representing a large district would be a plus before the campaign, noting that he travels about 35,000 miles a year in his current district. He also said the campaign would highlight voter service.

“The campaign will not be personal, but we will give voters the opportunity to see who they think would be the best candidate to represent them,” said Steinburg. “Our service to voters, I think, is second to none. “

Steinburg is the sole member of the General Assembly and one of two State representatives to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Steinburg was appointed to the commission by former Governor Pat McCroy and his term lasts as long as he is a member of the General Assembly.

The ASMFC is made up of 15 member states and its objective is the protection and management of marine fisheries under state jurisdiction.

“If I were to be defeated, then Governor (Democrat) Roy Cooper would be appointed,” said Steinburg. “For fishermen, this is a big problem. They don’t want to lose a seat at the ASMFC. Rest assured, Governor Cooper will not appoint someone who will be friendly to commercial fishermen.