(The Center Square) – Apologetic for her absence and prayerful for what lies ahead, Mecklenburg County Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham said Thursday she will be away from the North Carolina General Assembly indefinitely.

Vice chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations in the House of Representatives, Cotham in a message to constituents said the last few weeks have included medical procedures.

“Due to serious complications,” she wrote, “I must have a big surgery this week. I know the recovery will be intense and lengthy. I will not be able to make any public appearances or communicate for a while.”

Cotham leads as chairwoman the education component of the Appropriations panel. She’s chairwoman of the Committee on Education K-12, and vice chairwoman of both the Committee on Health and th

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