Destin C. Hall was elected speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives on Jan. 8, 2025, during the House’s organizational session in Raleigh and was immediately sworn into the office.

The election was by acclamation after members closed nominations. Representative Brendan Jones nominated Hall; Representative John Bell moved to close nominations and the body approved Hall by voice vote. Associate Justice Tamara Behringer of the North Carolina Supreme Court administered the oath.

In remarks to the chamber after his swearing-in, Speaker Destin C. Hall described the role as “a solemn duty” and said the House’s priorities would include strengthening the state’s economy, investing in education at all levels and public safety. “There’s almost 11,000,000 people in this state and there are 120 folks in this body who get to make decisions about the policies of our state,” Hall said. He told colleagues the House should “continue to secure North Carolinians’ economic future,” and singled out education and community-college partnerships as engines for job growth.

Hall also said rebuilding Western North Carolina would be the House’s “number 1 priority,” citing the region’s storm damage and saying the destruction totaled “more than $50,000,000,000 probably in damage.” He called for state support to “build back Western North Carolina and build it back stronger than before.”

Hall urged civil debate across party lines and said the House should respect differing views while pursuing the state’s needs. He also referenced prior legislation he said the chamber had passed on cooperation with federal immigration authorities and on victims’ rights, urging continued work on crime and school safety.

Action summary: nominations were closed by motion and Hall was elected speaker by acclamation. No roll-call tally was recorded for the speaker election.

The House then proceeded to other organizational business, including adoption of temporary rules and officer elections.