Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt responds to reporters' questions at a hotel, in Durham, N.C., Jan. 20, 1999. (AP Photo/Bob Jordan)
Hunt served a total of 16 years as North Carolina’s governor, 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 regarded as the state’s education-focused governor who made schools and early childhood learning the centerpiece of his administration. He is widely known for launching "Smart Start," a 1993 initiative that provided health and education services to children under age five to help 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 established the nation’s first public residential high school focused on science and math.
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Jim Hunt, center, gives the thumbs up to House and Senate leadership after signing the 1999-2001 state budget during a ceremony at the Capitol building, in Raleigh, N.C., 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, he brought a caring and committed purpose to everything he did, especially our children and our schools," former Gov. Roy Cooper wrote in a post on X.
"I don’t know anyone who worked harder and had a greater 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 Gov. Pat McCrory added in another post on Facebook:
"Jim Hunt was ‘The Governor’ and was the greatest salesperson ever for 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 as a former Governor. He will be missed but his spirit and passion for public service will remain forever."
Bonny Chu is a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital.
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