'The Governor': State political leaders react to passing of former Governor Jim Hunt

Political leaders from both sides of the aisle in North Carolina are sharing their condolences with the family of former Governor Jim Hunt, who passed away on Thursday.

Hunt, who redefined the governor’s office in North Carolina and was a champion for public education, was 88.

“To our family, he was a loving husband, dad and grandad whose kindness and steady hand shaped our lives in immeasurable ways,” said Rachel Hunt, Lieutenant Governor and his daughter. “We are profoundly grateful for the outpouring of love and support as we mourn and celebrate his life.”

Hunt, a Democrat, was the longest-serving governor in the state’s history, serving two eight-year terms, first from 1977 to 1985, and then again from 1993 until 2001.

“I can think of no one who shaped North Carolina’s recent successes as much as Governor Jim Hunt,” said current North Carolina governor Josh Stein. “On a personal level, he was a mentor and a dear friend. He certainly was for North Carolina.”

Hunt also founded the Hunt Institute for Education Leadership and Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Institute for Emerging Issues at North Carolina State University and created the North Carolina School for Science and Math. Hunt has been credited for transforming the state’s public education system and preparing North Carolina for the 21st-century economy.

Sydney Batch, the State Senate Democratic leader, praised Hunt for his "unwavering commitment to early childhood education, strong public schools and rural economic development."

"Governor Hunt changed the trajectory of countless lives and set a standard for what compassionate, selfless and forward-looking leadership can achieve," Batch said in a statement.

The news of Hunt's death drew reaction not only from Democrats, but Republicans as well.

Pat McCrory, who was governor of North Carolina from 2013 until 2017, said Hunt was not only a great public servant but the "greatest salesperson ever" for North Carolina. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis said in a statement that Hunt's commitment to public education and economic development "made a profound impact on our state that continues to this day."

"Jim Hunt was 'The Governor,'" McCrory said. "Personally, he was a wonderful mentor to me as a mayor and governor."

Lt. Governor Hunt said information about memorial arrangements will be shared in the coming days.