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. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
This collection contains materials compiled by Don Hobart, a former press aide to Governor Jim Hunt. They range in date from 1967 to 1993 and detail Hunt's 1984 senate campaign against Jesse Helms and his 1992 campaign for Governor of North Carolina.
James Baxter Hunt, Jr. was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1937. He attended North Carolina State University, where he served two terms as the student body president. Hunt graduated from NC State with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education and a Master’s degree in agricultural economics. In 1964, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Hunt, a Democrat, served as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina from 1973 to 1977. He served two terms as governor from 1977 to 1981 and from 1981 to 1985. In 1984, he tried, unsuccessfully, to unseat Republican Jesse Helms as the United States Senator for North Carolina. The race between the two was incredibly close and gained national attention. In 1993, Hunt returned to public office for his third term, defeating Republican Lieutenant Governor James Gardner. He served a fourth term as governor, residing in office from 1993 to 2001. After he left the governorship in 2001, Hunt joined the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge and Rice, PLLC, in Raleigh. Jim Hunt married his wife, Carolyn, in 1958, and they have four children together.
Don Hobart, who worked as a press aide and the Assistant Press Secretary for Governor Jim Hunt from 1982 to 1984, compiled these materials. Hobart serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
This collection contains newspaper clippings, press releases, political statements, drafts of speeches, opposition research, fundraising letters, and other materials compiled by Don Hobart that relate to former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt's election campaigns.
Collection is arranged in chronological order.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Don Hobart Collection of Jim Hunt Campaign Materials, MC 00777, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Don Hobart, 2025, March (Accession 2025.0054)
Processed by: Pricilla Rozario and Grace Midha, 2025 May; Finding aid written by: Grace Midha, 2025 June; Fully processed by: Rebecca Speas, 2025 July; Finding aid updated by: Rebecca Speas, 2025 July.
This folder contains a variety of press materials from Hunt's 1984 senate campaign including issues of Landmark newspaper, a flip book of political cartoons featuring Jesse Helms, voter research and analysis, newspaper clippings, and various Hunt campaign talking points. It also includes an inventory of audiocassettes; however the cassettes listed are not included in the collection.
This folder contains handwritten notes and memos from Jim Hunt and his campaign team regarding their Republican opponent in the 1992 gubernatorial election.
The court proceedings include case filings, judgment dockets, and depositions regarding judicial action taken against Jim Gardner, his wife Marie Gardner, and several of his buisness ventures, including Hardee's, Family Inns of America, Inc., Gardner Foods, Inc., Gardeners Barbecue, and more. One record was filed in Nassau County, New York, the rest all in North Carolina, and some records have handwritten commentary from an unknown author.
The court proceedings include case filings, judgment dockets, lease disputes and depositions regarding judicial action taken against Jim Gardner and several of his business ventures, including Brandywine Bay Properties and Gardner Foods, Inc.
Bulk of records date from 1974 - 1976. The court proceedings include case filings, judgment dockets, and depositions regarding judicial action taken against Jim Gardner, his wife Marie Gardner, and several of his buisness ventures filed in Carteret County, North Carolina. Also includes a few newspaper clippings and annotated lists of all lawsuits and recorded judgments against Jim Gardner, prepared and annotated by the 1992 Hunt campaign.
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. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
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], Don Hobart Collection of Jim Hunt Campaign Materials, MC 00777, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.