Bob Orr Profile

Profile and biography of gubernatorial candidate Bob Orr.

Posted 9:42 p.m. Jan 17, 2008 — Updated 9:42 p.m. Jan 17, 2008

Age: 61

Residence: Raleigh, Wake County; Burnsville, Yancey County

Campaign Web Site: http://www.orr2008.com

Family: Wife, Louise; Children: Kelly, Rob, Alex and Louise

Political Experience: Justice, N.C. Supreme Court 1995-2004; Judge, N.C. Court of Appeals 1986-1994

Work Experience: Counsel, Kelly and Rowe 2007-Present; Executive Director, North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law 2004-2007; Adjunct Professor of Law at UNC School of Law, N.C. Central School of Law and Campbell University School of Law 1990-2006; Justice, N.C. Supreme Court 1995-2004; Judge, N.C. Court of Appeals 1986-1994; District Administrative Assistant to Congressman Bill Hendon 1981-1982; Private Law Practice in Asheville 1975-1986.

Civic Involvement: Present: Board of Directors for the Wake County 1st Tee Program; Board of Directors for the Central YMCA; Board of Visitors N.C. Central School of Law; Mentor for the past 10 years. Past Involvement: Chairman of the National Parks System Advisory Board; VP of the N.C. Bar Association; Chair of the Southeastern Conference on Genetics in the Courtroom; Governor’s Crime Commission; Chief Justice’s Innocence Commission.

Religious Affiliation: Member, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church

Favorite Movies: “Hoosiers,” “Glory,” “12 Angry Men”

Favorite Books: The Killer Angels by Michael Shara, The Greatest Game Ever Played by Mark Frost, Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Top three issues facing North Carolina:

North Carolina is facing challenges that will require engaged, visionary leadership.

First and foremost, our next Governor must address the need for honest and open government. Corruption and secrecy and have diminished the people’s trust. As Governor, I will work to restore faith in our government. We can do so by making the process more open and reforming our tax system to weed out the influence of special interests.

We must also begin to address future growth in our state. We know today that North Carolina will add another 4 million residents by 2030. I will be committed to ensuring that our health care system, roads and infrastructure are ready to meet heightened demand. The current drought has shown us how growth can impact our natural resources. We need to address this problem now to prevent bigger problems in the future.

Finally, I believe it is imperative that we improve our public education system. North Carolina’s prosperity depends on our ability to provide a capable 21st century workforce that responds to society's ever changing needs. I am committed to making sure that we take the necessary steps to grant each and every child the opportunity to succeed.

Why are you the most qualified candidate for governor?

I have a long term vision for the future of North Carolina. For too long, our leaders have been content to focus on the short term fix. If we’re going to ensure our current quality of life for our children and our grandchildren, we must be thinking about the long term interests of the state.

In my 18 years on the state’s two highest courts, I was regularly challenged to make tough decisions. I am ready to do the same if elected Governor.

I will make my lifelong commitment to service in the public interest the hallmark of my administration. I believe I have the political courage to follow the right course for North Carolina and the demonstrated ability to bring together people from all over our state to get the job done.

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