The North Carolina Senate's top leader is endorsing Sen. Martin Nesbitt of Buncombe County to become his top lieutenant.

Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight wrote a letter Friday to Senate Democrats asking them to support Nesbitt as the next majority leader. The Asheville Citizen-Times obtained a copy of the letter.

A Basnight spokesman didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment.

The majority leader's job is open because Sen. Tony Rand announced this week he was leaving the Legislature to become head of the state patrol commission.

Basnight said Nesbitt had worked tirelessly during his 30-year legislative career to bring jobs and economic opportunity to the entire state and has done it with "compassion, commitment and integrity."