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North Carolina’s longest-serving governor, Jim Hunt, died Thursday at the age of 88.
His daughter, Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, announced the death of the Democratic leader in a statement on X.
“It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of my father and beloved hero, former Governor Jim Hunt,” she wrote.
“He dedicated his life to serving the people of North Carolina, guided by the belief that public service must expand opportunity, strengthen communities and always put people first. His leadership and compassion left a lasting impact on many people in our state.
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Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt answers questions from reporters at a hotel in Durham, North Carolina, January 20, 1999. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan)
Hunt served a total of 16 years as governor of North Carolina, holding office from 1977 to 1985 and again from 1993 to 2001. He was the only governor in state history to be elected to four terms, following a constitutional change allowing consecutive service.
Hunt was widely considered the state’s education-focused governor who made schools and early learning the centerpiece of his administration. He is widely known for launching “Smart Start”, an initiative in 1993 that provided health and education services to children under the age of five to prepare them for school.
He also successfully lobbied to raise North Carolina teacher salaries above the national median, expanded access to full-day kindergarten statewide, and created the nation’s first public boarding school focused on science and mathematics.
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Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt speaks at the Democratic National Convention September 5, 2012, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
“I don’t know of anyone who has shaped North Carolina’s recent successes more than Governor Jim Hunt,” North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said in an article on X.
“Governor for 16 years, he was a visionary who founded Smart Start, raised teacher salaries, protected air quality and created the NC Biotech Center. On a personal level, he was a mentor and 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 certainly meant North Carolina.”
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Jim Hunt, center, gives the go-ahead to House and Senate leaders after signing the 1999-2001 state budget during a ceremony at the Capitol in Raleigh, North Carolina, 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, but he had a caring and committed purpose in everything he did, especially our children and our schools,” former Gov. Roy Cooper wrote in an article on X.
“I don’t know anyone who worked harder and had a more positive effect 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 Governor Pat McCrory added in another Facebook post:
“Jim Hunt was ‘the governor’ and the biggest salesman in our state,” he said. “For me personally and despite our political differences, he was a mentor and friend during my tenure as mayor, governor and former governor. He will be missed, but his spirit and passion for public service will forever remain.
