Tony Tata is resigning as Secretary of NCDOT, effective immediately, to focus on family and personal matters and to pursue his passion as an author.
This has, of course, prompted a fury of speculation as to the real reason for his sudden resignation. Earlier this summer, Tata was the subject of speculation as a candidate for Congress. Tata ultimately declined to pursue elective office and sent a memo to DOT employees that he was focused on his current job. Well, something must have changed between then and now. Has he changed his mind about Congress? Regardless, why the suddenness of his resignation?
My guess is there’s no lurid backstory. Instead, Tata has landed a sweet gig as policy adviser to the Donald Trump campaign, where he’ll get good pay and time enough to spend writing his books and promoting them on Fox News. (OK, maybe not.)
UPDATE: Tata is apparently resigning because of a book deal. Wait, what? Also, no longer ruling out run for Congress. What does that mean? Tata vs. Jones? Tata vs. Ellmers? Who knows at this point?
John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.
He’s not going up against Taylor Griffin. If he were, Taylor would have never made his announcement. Then again, Tata has the ego of Donald Trump – I expect there will be some backroom clashes. He’s more likely to take out Renee. The Tea Party has been trying to unseat her ever since she voted to raise the debt ceiling. I always thought the Tea Party had their eye on Jim Womack taking her on and it sounded logial because his brother is in Congress. Who knows?
I say good riddance to a non performer. What did he do for most of the difficult winter when his leadership was needed at the DOT ? He was lolly gagging all over touting his book. Hope he goes away and stays away. Although I admit he is not alone, he certainly is an opportunist. We already have enough of those sitting up there in Raleigh.
Tata seems to be building a reputation for quitting the things he starts.
The dude is following in the former Gov of Alaska…half term Palin…half done Tata. Nice. But in the end..who cares.