Timothy Larrimore, 35, is under psychiatric observation at Central Prison in Raleigh. He is being held on $1 million bond.
Police said the threat was made at the State Board of Elections office in Raleigh. They said Larrimore showed up to inquire about running for office, then suddenly told an employee he intended to kill Easley by shooting him in the head.
Employees called Capitol Police and Larrimore was arrested.
"There was reasonable suspicion to believe that the threat was capable of being carried out," said Capitol Police Chief Scott Hunter.
Hunter said every threat is taken seriously.
"In this post 9-11 era, all threats against government officials -- and government in general -- we have to take very, very seriously. We look at each case based on its merit," he said.
The state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety oversees security for the governor. Director Bryan Beatty said threats against public officials are more than personal attacks.
"It is a very serious matter to threaten a public official," Beatty said. "They're making a threat against our governmental process, the lawful process of government, how we govern ourselves. So we have to protect those persons that are carrying out those public duties."
Police said Larrimore was not armed, but they were concerned about his criminal record, which includes assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill.
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