Robert C. Sole, Jr. of Democrat announced at the end of 2009 that he will not focus on re-election to his office. His office was representing the 8th district in the North Carolina Senate, but he stepped down due to he was considered the longest-serving lawmaker in the state. He served from 1969 to 1976 in the North Carolina House of Representatives and from 1977 served in the Senate. The decision of Robert for not to run for re-election was supposedly come due to an incident took place in the month of August 2009. He allegedly shot a 22-years old Kyle Blackburn in his leg. Robert claimed that he fired on his led in self-defense when Blackburn and another young unknown man offended on his property and started kicking on his door.
Robert found guilty for wrongdoing and criminal assault and charged for keeping deadly weapon in the month of February 2010. The state used 40 minutes surveillance tape for evidence and it was collected from the home of Robert at the time of shooting. An alert generated from a national organization regarding local political issue of North Carolina about Senator Robert C. Soles due to his shooting action at his home. This news was circulated online, but it was also considered as a part of fund raising alert from the National Association for Gun Rights. The GRNC stated that Robert C. Soles is not a virulent anti-Second Amendment activist or vociferous anti-gun zealot.