James B Hunt Jr

James B. Hunt Jr., a Democrat who burnished North Carolina’s reputation as a beacon of moderation in the South over four terms as governor, but who lost a Senate race against a hard-right Republican that might have vaulted him toward the presidency, died on in December 2025 at his home in Lucama, N.C. He was 88. His daughter Rachel Hunt, North Carolina’s lieutenant governor, announced the death in a statement. Hunt was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He grew up on a farm in Wilson County, where he and his wife now raise beef cattle. He received a bachelor's degree in agricultural education in 1959 and a master's in agricultural economics in 1962 from North Carolina State University. He earned a law degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Law in 1964. From 1964 to 1966, he served as a Ford Foundation economic advisor to Nepal. He served as lieutenant governor from 1973 to 1977 and as governor from 1977 to 1985. Reelected in 1992 and again in 1996, Governor Hunt served a historic fourth term. Smart Start, his nationally recognized early childhood initiative, helped North Carolina children get better child care, immunizations, and family services. A national leader on education issues, Governor Hunt's Excellent Schools Act of 1997 raised standards and pay for teachers. His Juvenile Justice Reform Act focused on tougher punishment and effective prevention. Governor Hunt also signed the most sweeping air quality bill in 1999. He was founding chair of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, which promotes excellence in teaching through voluntary board certification. Hunt met Carolyn Leonard in college They married in 1958. Along with their daughter Rachel, he is survived Mrs. Hunt; their son, James Baxter Hunt III; another daughter, Elizabeth Hunt; and several grandchildren.