Jim Hunt, longest-serving North Carolina governor in history, dies at 88
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Jim Hunt, North Carolina’s longest-serving governor, died Thursday at age 88.
His daughter, Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt, announced the Democratic leader’s death in a statement about X.
“It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of my beloved father and hero, former Governor Jim Hunt,” he wrote.
“He dedicated his life to serving the people of North Carolina, with the belief that public service should expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and always put people first. His leadership and compassion left a lasting impact on so many in our state.”
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Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt answers questions from reporters at a hotel in Durham, N.C., on January 20, 1999. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan)
Hunt served as governor of North Carolina for a total of 16 years, serving from 1977 to 1985 and again from 1993 to 2001. He was the only governor in the state’s history to be elected to four terms following a constitutional amendment allowing consecutive service.
Hunt was widely regarded as the state’s education-focused governor, who made schools and early childhood learning central to his administration. He is known for launching “Smart Start” in 1993, an initiative that provides health and education services to children under the age of five to help them prepare for school.
He also successfully lobbied to raise teacher salaries in North Carolina above the national average, expanded access to full-day kindergarten statewide, and established the nation’s first public boarding high school focused on science and math.
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Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC on September 5, 2012 (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“I can’t think of anyone who has shaped North Carolina’s recent successes more than Governor Jim Hunt,” North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said in a post on X.
“As Governor for 16 years, he was a visionary who established Smart Start, increased teacher salaries, protected air quality, and established the NC Biotechnology Center. On a personal level, he was a mentor and a dear friend. Anna and I keep Carolyn, Rachel, and the entire Hunt family in our thoughts and prayers. May Governor Hunt’s memory be a blessing. He was absolutely for North Carolina.”
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Jim Hunt, center, gives the nod to House and Senate leadership after signing the 1999-2001 state budget during a ceremony at the Capitol building in Raleigh, N.C., on June 30, 1999. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Former North Carolina political figures also shared their condolences online following Hunt’s death.
“Not only was he the greatest Governor in North Carolina history, he brought compassionate and determined purpose to everything he did, especially to our children and schools,” former Governor Roy Cooper wrote in a post on X.
“I don’t know anyone who worked harder and had a more positive impact on the people of North Carolina than Jim Hunt. He was a great friend and mentor, and I will miss him.”
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Former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory added in another post on Facebook:
“Jim Hunt was ‘The Governor’ and the greatest salesman our state ever had,” he said. “For me personally, despite our political differences, he was a mentor and friend throughout my tenure as Mayor, Governor and former Governor. He will be missed, but his spirit and passion for public service will remain forever.”
