Oregon Public Broadcasting

The first African-American woman to serve in the Oregon Legislature is stepping down this month.

Democratic state Senator Margaret Carter is resigning to accept a high-level post at the Oregon Department of Human Services. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Carter might be best known around the capitol for her singing ability, which she often exhibits on the floor of the Senate.

She was first elected in 1984, a very different time from now. Her first bills divested state money from South Africa and established a holiday honoring Martin Luther King.

This past session she was one of two lawmakers in charge of writing the budget.

Carter now takes on the role of Deputy Director of Human Service programs at DHS at a time when the agency is serving more people than ever.

Margaret Carter: “If we want to be successful in making sure that people are not falling through the cracks, then you need to have responsible people in place to do it.”

Carter is the third lawmaker to step down since the Legislative session ended in June. And they're all taking state jobs.

Fellow Democratic Senator Vicki Walker now heads the Oregon Parole Board.

Another Democrat, Representative Larry Galizio, is taking a job with the Oregon University System.