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North Carolina's Governors
Elected lieutenant governor in 1972, he guided expansion of the kindergarten program. In 1976 Hunt defeated three contenders in the Democratic gubernatorial primary without a runoff and Republican David Flaherty in the fall. In his inaugural address in 1977, Hunt called for citizen involvement. His education reforms included teacher pay raises and competency testing. The School of Science and Mathematics and the Microelectronics Center, both opened in 1980, were among his innovations. In 1977 voters approved an amendment permitting governors to serve consecutive four-year terms. In 1980 Hunt withstood a primary challenge from former Governor Robert W. Scott. In the fall he defeated Republican nominee I. Beverly Lake, Jr. In 1981 Hunt created North Carolina 2000 to study future needs. With Hunt's backing, the legislature in 1983 approved a gasoline tax increase with funds earmarked for highways. In 1984 Hunt failed in his attempt to unseat Senator Jesse Helms in the costliest Senate campaign in the nation to that date. In his third and fourth terms, Hunt was jokingly called by some "governor for life." In 1992 he defeated Lacy Thornburg in the Democratic primary and Republican James C. Gardner in the fall. In his third inaugural address, Hunt stressed childhood development and touted "Smart Start," whereby counties implement plans to improve child care. In 1996 Hunt defeated Robin Hayes to retain his seat. A constitutional amendment that year made him the first governor with veto power, an authority he did not exercise. In his fourth term Hunt pushed to raise teacher pay to the national average and to increase student test scores. Damage caused by Hurricane Fran in 1996 and Hurricane Floyd in 1999 tested Hunt's leadership. Since his last term Hunt has practiced law and promoted educational initiatives.
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The first North Carolina governor elected to consecutive four-year terms, James B. Hunt, Jr. (1937- ) assumed the moderately progressive mantle of his Democratic predecessors. Born in Greensboro, Hunt completed bachelor's and master's degrees at North Carolina State University and attended the University of North Carolina for law school. On passing the bar he joined a law firm in Wilson.
