LUMBERTON — A four-person committee of Democrats from Robeson and Hoke counties will meet Wednesday to choose the successor to state Sen. David Weinstein.

Weinstein, a retired merchant from Lumberton, gave up his Senate seat Sept. 30 after being tapped by Gov. Beverly Perdue to head the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. He had represented Robeson and Hoke counties in the Senate since 1997.

Because Weinstein’s District 13 lies within two congressional districts — District 7 represented by Mike McIntyre, and District 8 represented by Larry Kissell — the Senate Search Committee of two members from both Robeson and Hoke counties is required by the state party to be convened by one of the congressional district chairman.

Andrew Whalen, executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said Wednesday’s meeting will be administered and certified by June Mabry, chairman of the 8th Congressional District, and Larry Townsend, secretary of the 7th Congressional District. The search committee’s choice for Weinstein’s successor will be forwarded to the governor for her appointment. The pick will serve the remainder of Weinstein’s term, which ends in 2010.

“The governor is required to appoint the party’s recommendation within seven days of the nomination being certified,” Whalen said. “If she fails to do so, the individual recommended by the Democratic Party automatically fills the seat.”

The two Robeson County representatives elected by the local party to the Senate Search Committee are Weinstein and Paul Brooks, a Pembroke town councilman. Whalen said that as of Friday Hoke County had only one representative, Christina Davis-McCoy.

Although Robeson and Hoke each have two representatives on the panel, Robeson has more poll because of a larger population. Whalen said that each committee member gets one vote for every 300 people living in their county.

Gary Strickland, chairman of the Robeson County Democratic Party, said that the meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Robeson County Public Library’s Osterneck Auditorium.

“We need to get this done so we can move forward,” Strickland said.

Several individuals have expressed interest in being considered for the Senate appointment, but they are uncertain how many will actually appear before the committee on Wednesday. Most say that the leading candidate is Michael Walters, a business man and lifelong resident of Fairmont. Others who openly expressed interest in the position during the party’s April convention include Benjamin Clark of Hoke County, a former primary rival of Weinstein’s, and Jane Smith, a Lumberton businesswoman. Marie Lowry-Townsend, who lost a congressional primary in 1996 to U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, has also been suggested as a possible candidate.

“I hope we take a vote on this Wednesday,” Weinstein said. “We need to get this over and done with so Robeson and Hoke counties will be represented in the Senate. I need to introduce (whoever is selected) to Sen. Marc Basnight (the Senate leader) and to show them around Raleigh as soon as possible.”

Although he has stated that Walters has several attributes that makes him a viable candidate, Weinstein has fallen short of openly throwing his support behind the candidate.

“I’m certainly going to listen and give consideration to everyone who is interested in the position,” Weinstein said Friday. “My preference, however, is someone who is a business person, has lived in the county and knows its concerns, and is in a stable marriage. A supportive spouse is an asset to someone in this position.”

Walters, who is in the agriculture and timber businesses, told The Robesonian on Friday that he would like to be selected as Weinstein’s successor.

“Yes, I’m interested. I would be honored to serve Robeson and Hoke counties if recommended for the appointment,” Walters said. “I have a good understanding of the needs of the citizens in both Hoke and Robeson counties.”

Walters added that he believes as a senator he could help bring about achievement in educational and workforce development.