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Cherie Berry, The 'Elevator Lady,' Won't Seek Re-Election

Photo courtesy nc.gov

The woman known as North Carolina's "elevator lady" is punching the last buttons on her career as state labor commissioner.

Republican Commissioner Cherie Berry announced Tuesday she would not seek re-election next year, 20 years after she was first elected to the job. Her colleagues on the Council of State — comprised of Gov. Roy Cooper and other statewide elected leaders — gave her a standing ovation following her announcement.

Berry brought wide recognition to her otherwise little-known post by putting her photo on inspection certificates inside 28,000 elevators statewide. With it came the nickname "elevator lady" or "elevator queen." The ubiquitous photo also led to a Twitter parody account and even a song.

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