Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
The James B. Hunt Papers, 1945, 1953-2018 include videotapes, films, compact discs, audiotapes, photographs, correspondence, speeches, news clippings, ad slicks, position papers, advertisement scripts, cue sheets, stickers, buttons, artifacts, and brochures relating to the personal life and political campaigns of James Baxter Hunt Jr., who was a Democratic lieutenant governor, 1973-1976, and four-term governor of North Carolina, 1977-1985 and 1993-2001. The largest portion of the collection is manuscripts, which feature debates, speeches, correspondences, advertisements and personal notes. The bulk of the materials include Hunt’s 1976 and 1980 gubernatorial campaigns, his unsuccessful 1984 bid to unseat Republican Jesse Helms as United State Senator from North Carolina, and his 1992 and 1996 gubernatorial campaigns. Also included are materials documenting Hunt’s acts post-governorship, including the establishment of the Smart Start program, the Institute for Emerging Issues, and The Hunt Institute. Not included are any materials specifically documenting Hunt’s official acts as governor.
James Baxter Hunt, Jr. (1937- ) was the Democratic governor of North Carolina from 1977 to 1985 and 1993 to 2001. After serving as Lieutenant Governor from 1973 to 1977, he served two terms as Governor, from 1977 to 1981 and 1981 to 1985. In 1984 he waged an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Republican Jesse Helms as United States Senator from North Carolina. The closely contested race, which Helms eventually won with 52% of the vote, garnered national attention as both sides engaged in negative campaigning. The campaign ultimately cost a combined $22 million, making it the most expensive Senate race in American history to that point. Hunt returned to elected office in 1993, winning a third term as Governor by defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor James C. Gardner. In 1996, he was elected to a fourth term over Republican state Representative Robin Hayes. Hunt left the office of the governor in 2001.
James Baxter Hunt, Jr. (1937- ) was the Democratic governor of North Carolina from 1977 to 1985 and 1993 to 2001. After serving as Lieutenant Governor from 1973 to 1977, he served two terms as Governor, from 1977 to 1981 and 1981 to 1985. In 1984 he waged an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Republican Jesse Helms as United States Senator from North Carolina. The closely contested race, which Helms eventually won with 52% of the vote, garnered national attention as both sides engaged in negative campaigning.The campaign ultimately cost a combined $22 million, making it the most expensive Senate race in American history to that point. Hunt returned to elected office in 1993, winning a third term as Governor by defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor James C. Gardner. In 1996, he was elected to a fourth term over Republican state Representative Robin Hayes. Hunt left the office of the governor in 2001.
Governor Hunt was born on May 16, 1937, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education and a Master’s degree in agricultural economics from North Carolina State University, where he served two terms as student body president. He also earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After he left the governorship in 2001, Hunt joined the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, in Raleigh. As of 2006, he and his wife, Carolyn, live on their beef cattle farm in eastern North Carolina. They have four children and ten grandchildren.
For a more extensive timeline, see this document.
The James B. Hunt Papers, 1945, 1953-2018 include videotapes, films, compact discs, audiotapes, photographs, correspondence, speeches, news clippings, ad slicks, position papers, advertisement scripts, cue sheets, stickers, buttons, artifacts, and brochures relating to the personal life and political campaigns of James Baxter Hunt Jr., who was a Democratic lieutenant governor, 1973-1976, and four-term governor of North Carolina, 1977-1985 and 1993-2001. The largest portion of the collection is manuscripts, which feature debates, speeches, correspondences, advertisements and personal notes.Most speeches are in a separate series from the gubernatorial campaign and term series. The bulk of the materials include Hunt’s 1976 and 1980 gubernatorial campaigns, his unsuccessful 1984 bid to unseat Republican Jesse Helms as United State Senator from North Carolina, and his 1992 and 1996 gubernatorial campaigns. Also included are materials documenting Hunt’s acts post-governorship, including the establishment of the Smart Start program, the Institute for Emerging Issues, and the Hunt Institute. Not included are any materials specifically documenting Hunt’s official acts as governor.
This collection is arranged in eighteen series: Videotape, Film, Audiotape, Photographs, Artifacts, Early Life and Political Involvement, Lieutenant Gubernatorial Campaign and Term, First Gubernatorial Campaign and Term, Second Gubernatorial Campaign and Term, 1984 Senate Campaign, Third Gubernatorial Campaign and Term, Fourth Gubernatorial Campaign and Term, Post-Governorship, Speeches, Education, Personal, David Erdman's Campaign Work for Governor Hunt, and Hunt Book Collection.
North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
[Identification of item], James B. Hunt Papers, MC 00003, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Student Leaders Oral Histories, 2010-2014, MC 00401
Governor's Papers -- James Baxter Hunt, Jr. (16 May 1937 --), Record Group 372 and Record Group 374, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC
Lieutenant Governor's Papers -- James Baxter Hunt, Jr., Record Group 395, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC
Gift of James B. Hunt, June 2001 (Accession 2001.0022), March 2013 (Accession 2013.0055), June 2015 (Accession 2015.0143), April 2022 (Accession 2021. 0031), June 2022 (Accession 2022.0073)
Processed by: Jonathan Holloway; machine-readable finding aid created by: Jonathan Holloway, March 2011; Additions processed by Meaghan Lanier, May 2013, and Todd Kosmerick, June 2015; Finding aid updated by Meaghan Lanier, May 2013, and Todd Kosmerick, June 2015. Additions processed by Miranda Clinton and Lev Rosenberger, April 2022; Finding Aid updated by Miranda Clinton and Lev Rosenberger, April 2022. Additions processed by Miranda Clinton and Lev Rosenberger, November 2022; Finding Aid updated by Miranda Clinton, November 2022.
The collection is organized into eighteen principal series:
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], James B. Hunt Papers, MC 00003, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
