Legendary Democratic former North Carolina governor, Jim Hunt, dies at 88

Jim Hunt, North Carolina’s first multiple-term governor and face of the state’s Democratic Party for decades, has died.

He was 88.

The Greensboro native who grew up in the Wilson County community of Rock Ridge won the governor’s race in 1976 and led the initiative to amend the state constitution allowing two terms. He then won in 1980 and returned for another back-to-back stint with election wins in 1992 and 1996.

In between, he lost a bruising U.S. Senate race to Republican incumbent Jesse Helms in 1984.

Hunt, at age 35, won the lieutenant governor’s office in 1972, an office his daughter Rachel now occupies.

“He devoted his life to serving the people of North Carolina, guided by a belief that public service should expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and always put people first,” she said in a release.

Hunt’s impact on education reform extended beyond North Carolina. He’s credited with the creation of Smart Start and was among the first to advocate for teaching standards.

His hand in a second major constitutional amendment gave the state’s governor the opportunity to veto legislation. North Carolina in 1997 became the 50th to do so.

“I can think of no one who shaped North Carolina’s recent successes as much as Governor Jim Hunt,” said first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein in a statement. “Governor for 16 years, he was a visionary who founded Smart Start, raised teacher pay, protected air quality, and created the NC Biotech Center. On a personal level, he was a mentor and dear friend.”

On social media, Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis wrote, “Susan and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Governor Jim Hunt, who was one of the most consequential public servants in North Carolina’s history. His commitment to public education and economic development made a profound impact on our state that continues to this day.”

Hunt was instrumental in the successful campaigns of former Gov. Roy Cooper and former U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, the last Democrat to represent the state in the upper chamber of Congress. Hunt campaigned for former President Barack Obama and 2016 presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.

When Hunt was lieutenant governor, majorities in the state Senate and House of Representatives the first two years were 35-15 and 85-35. The next two were 49-1 and 111-9. And during that time, Hunt worked with Republican Gov. Jim Holshouser – one of just three from his party to hold the office since 1900 – to make North Carolina the first state with full-day kindergarten in public schools.

Anderson Clayton, chairwoman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, in a release said in part, “He showed everyone what it means to be a Democrat in the South. Not only did he believe in the promise and potential of every North Carolinian – he invested in them by being a visionary leader, transforming our public schools, elevating our community colleges, and building a foundation of opportunity that continues to benefit generations.”

Hunt, born May 16, 1937, moved in 1941 with his family to the Rock Ridge community to a tobacco and dairy farm. He was valedictorian of the former Rock Ridge High School in 1955 and earned his undergrad and master’s at N.C. State University. His law degree was earned at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and also included studies at George Washington University.

His political career overlapped North Carolina's economic strength with changes in textiles, tobacco and high technology.

Hunt and his wife Carolyn, in addition Rachel, also raised daughters Rebecca and Elizabeth, and a son, James Baxter Hunt III.