Jim Hunt

Jim Hunt (1992)

James Baxter "Jim" Hunt (born May 16, 1937 in Greensboro , North Carolina ) is an American politician ( Democratic Party ). He was the 69th and 71st governors of the state of North Carolina.

Early years and political advancement

Jim Hunt grew up on a farm in Wilson County . He attended North Carolina State University , where he studied agriculture. He then studied until 1964 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill law. Between 1964 and 1966 he worked as an economic advisor in Nepal on behalf of the Ford Foundation . Hunt was elected Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 1972. He held this office from 1973 to 1977 under Governor James Holshouser . He was nominated as a candidate by his party for the upcoming gubernatorial elections in 1976. With 65 percent of the vote, he clearly prevailed against the Republican David T. Flaherty.

North Carolina Governor

After winning the election, Hunt took up his new office on January 1, 1977. During his tenure, the constitution was changed so that a governor could now serve two consecutive terms. He also made use of this regulation and was confirmed in his office in 1980 with 61.9 percent of the vote. He was governor of North Carolina until January 1, 1985. That alone was a historic tenure record.

After the end of his tenure in 1985, he made a fruitless attempt to be elected to the US Senate . He was defeated by the Republican incumbent Jesse Helms and then retired from politics for a few years. In 1992 and 1996 he was re-elected governor. He was governor of his state for a total of 16 years, which no one in North Carolina had achieved before. During these years he put on a family program. He ensured better childcare and vaccinations. A new school law from 1997 raised the standards and salaries for teachers. A new youth criminal law tightened the penalties for reasons of prevention. His critics accused him of the cost of his reforms. All in all, North Carolina experienced a boom during his tenure that also spanned the economy.

Further career

After the end of his tenure, Hunt was in talks with Al Gore in 2000 and in 2004 under John Kerry for a cabinet position. Since both candidates lost their respective presidential elections, it never happened. Jim Hunt is now a member of several boards of directors and a partner in a law firm in Raleigh .

Web links

• Jim Hunt in the National Governor Association (English)