Jim Hunt, former North Carolina governor, has died

RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) - The longest-serving North Carolina governor, and the father of the state’s current lieutenant governor, has died.

Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt’s office shared the passing of her father, former Gov. Jim Hunt, Thursday afternoon. He was 88.

“He devoted his life to serving the people of North Carolina, guided by a belief that public service should expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and always put people first,” Lt. Gov. Hunt said in a statement. “His leadership and compassion left a lasting impact on the lives of countless North Carolinians.”

A Democrat, Hunt was the state’s 69th and 71st governor, serving in the role for a total of 16 years. Before that, he was elected to lieutenant governor in 1972.

Governor Josh Stein also released a statement on the former governor’s passing.

“I can think of no one who shaped North Carolina’s recent successes as much as Governor Jim Hunt,” Stein said.

Stein went on to call Hunt a mentor and “dear friend.”

“May Governor Hunt’s memory be a blessing,” Stein said. “He certainly was for North Carolina.”

Former Gov. Roy Cooper also reflected on the loss.

“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,” his statement said in part. “I don’t know anyone who worked harder and had a greater positive effect on the people of North Carolina than Jim Hunt.”

Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Republican Senator Thom Tillis also made a statement on Hunt’s passing.

“His commitment to public education and economic development made a profound impact on our state that continues to this day,” Tillis said. “We send our deepest condolences to his loving family.”

“Even after he’d done everything he’d done, after all the offices, all the accomplishments, he kept doing the small, human things that make leadership real,” Jackson said.

Information on memorial arrangements are expected in the coming days.