Art Pope steps down as McCrory's budget guru
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Gov. Pat McCrory announced Wednesday that high-profile conservative Art Pope is stepping down from his post as deputy budget director.
At an afternoon news conference, McCrory said Pope had only agreed to serve one year, but ended up staying for 18 months.
He said the two didn't know each other well before he came into office, but had since grown into good friends.
Pope, a North Carolina businessman who finances conservative causes, has made headlines over the years for his stand on some issues.
McCrory named Lee Roberts as Pope's replacement. Roberts, the son of nationally known reporter Cokie Roberts, is a financial expert who also sits on the Ravenscroft Board of Trustees and has served as a managing director of Piedmont Community Bank Holdings in Raleigh.
