The History of Former Governor Jim Hunt

By: Swannie George

Background Info

• James B. Hunt Jr. was born on May 16, 1937

• He was born in Greensboro, North Carolina to James B. Hunt and Elsie Brame Hunt

• His family moved to Rock Ridge, North Carolina

• He graduated from Rock Ridge High School in Spring 1954

Soon After High School

• Fall 1951 Hunt enrolled at an all-white N.C. State college

At N.C. State he took part in the Terry Stanford campaign

He is gradual of N.C. State with a B.S. in agricultural education and a M.S agricultural economics

Family

• He married the former Carolyn Leonard in 1958

• He and his wife moved to Nepal where for two years he worked as an economic adviser

• In winter 1960 Hunt’s first child, Rebecca was born

• Jim and Carolyn her the parents of four and grandparents of nine grandchildren

Hunt’s Life At UNC

• To study law, he attended UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall of 1961

• While in law school he worked for Richardson Preyer

• He graduate with a J.B. in law

Road to Governor N.C.

• In 1970 Governor Robert W. Scott appointed Hunt to Chair a commission to revise the state party’s rules

• He kicked off his first campaign on April 6, 1976 in Raleigh, North Carolina

• In 1977 Governor Hunt was elected governor for the first time

1979-1984• November 1979, Hunt announced his candidacy

for reelection • In May 1980, Hunt defeated Bob Scott in the

Democratic primacy• In November 1980, Hunt won reelection in

landslide• In 1984, Hunt lost a campaign for U.S senate

again Jesse Helms• That remains the most expensive in states

History

Hunt’s 90’s life

• On November 3, 1992 Hunt defeated Gardner to win an unprecedented third term as N.C. Governor

• He established the smart start program in 1993

• In late 1993, Hunt failed to win the right to veto legislation , remaining the only U.S. governor in the state’s history

Last election

• In February 1996, Hunt filed for reelection• He left office in January 2001• He was replaced by Mike Easley, Fellow

Democrat

Fast Facts

• Hunt was a Democrat• He was the longest serving governor in the

state’s history• Governor of North Carolina 1977-

1983;1993-2001• He was the 69th and 71st governor• He was recognized with the National

Education Association “Friend of Education Award”

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