Jim Hunt

James Baxter "Jim" Hunt Jr. (May 16, 1937 – December 18, 2025) was an American politician who was the 69th and 71st Governor of North Carolina from 1977 to 1985 and again from 1993 to 2001. He was a member of the Democratic Party. His daughter, Rachel Hunt, is the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.

Jim Hunt
69th and 71st Governor of North Carolina
In office January 9, 1993 – January 6, 2001
Lieutenant	Dennis A. Wicker
Preceded by	James G. Martin
Succeeded by	Mike Easley
In office January 8, 1977 – January 5, 1985
Lieutenant	James C. Green
Preceded by	James Holshouser
Succeeded by	James G. Martin
27th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
In office January 6, 1973 – January 8, 1977
Governor	James Holshouser
Preceded by	Hoyt Patrick Taylor Jr.
Succeeded by	James C. Green
Personal details
Born	James Baxter Hunt Jr. (1937-05-16)May 16, 1937 Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	December 18, 2025(2025-12-18) (aged 88) Lucama, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Carolyn Hunt
Children	4; including Rachel
Education	North Carolina State University (BS, MS) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (JD)

He was the longest-serving governor in the state's history. Hunt was tied for the fourth-longest gubernatorial tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history at 5,838 days.^[1]

Hunt died at his home in Lucama, North Carolina on December 18, 2025 at the age of 88.^[2][3]