Now he'll be campaigning for them as the newest member of the N.C. House of Representatives.

Heagarty, former executive director of the N.C. Center for Voter Education, was elected to replace former Rep. Ty Harrell at a recent gathering of 30 Democratic Party leaders from the 41st House district in western Wake County.

Harrell resigned last month to deal with an investigation into his campaign finances.

When a legislator resigns, his or her party picks the successor.

Gov. Beverly Perdue was expected to officially appoint Heagarty upon her return from an overseas trip.

Heagarty, 39, was selected from six candidates.

The other five vowed to support him in next fall's election.

"To my knowledge, there's not any chance of a primary [challenge] from these folks," said Jack Nichols, chairman of the Wake Democratic Party.

Born in Cincinnati, Heagarty has spent nearly his entire life in Raleigh and the 41st district.

He lives there with his wife, Tivey; 2-year-old son, Stephen, and 10-month-old daughter, Sidney.

A graduate of Enloe High School and N.C. State University, he is on track to receive his law degree from N.C. Central University in the spring.

From 2000 to 2007, Heagarty led the N.C. Center for Voter Education, a nonpartisan group that aims to improve the quality and responsiveness of election systems.

"It was about getting more people involved, casting more informed votes," Heagarty said.

The group's most visible achievement was legislation making North Carolina's judicial races nonpartisan.

Heagarty said he will focus on the same issue as other elected officials. "The number one priority on everyone's mind ... is getting people working again," he said.

Heagarty was endorsed by N.C. Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, Reps. Pricey Harrison of Greensboro and Rosa Gill of Raleigh, who signed on to a mailing sent to party leaders.