John Christopher "Chris" Heagarty has been described as a long-time player in North Carolina politics, and was appointed by Governor Beverly Perdue to serve in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2009 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Rep. Ty Harrell, a fellow Democrat. Heagarty represented the 41st House district in western Wake County.
Heagarty served as executive director and lobbyist for the non-partisan North Carolina Center for Voter Education from 2000 until he left in 2007 to pursue a law degree.
Previously Heagarty lobbied at the North Carolina General Assembly for the NC Association of Electric Cooperatives Inc.
Morrisville Councilman Tom Murry defeated Heagarty in the 2010 General Election by a 54-46% margin.