Rachel Henderson Hunt (born May 19, 1965) is an American politician who has served as the 36th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina since 2025. She previously was a member of the North Carolina State Senate.[1] A Democrat, Hunt was elected in November 2022 to represent the 42nd district based in Mecklenburg County. Before that, Hunt served two terms in the North Carolina House, twice beating Republican Bill Brawley.[2]
Upon being sworn in on January 1, 2025, Hunt became the first Democrat to hold the lieutenant governor’s office since Walter Dalton left office in 2013. Hunt is the first daughter of a previous lieutenant governor of North Carolina to hold the same position (her father, Jim Hunt, served from 1973–1977). She is also the second female lieutenant governor of North Carolina, after Bev Perdue.
Early life and education
Hunt, the daughter of governor Jim Hunt and Carolyn Hunt, was born on May 19, 1965, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where her father was working for the Ford Foundation at the time.[3][4][5] She grew up in rural Wilson County, North Carolina, until her father was elected governor in 1976.[4] An attorney and certified college counselor, she is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of South Carolina School of Law.[6]
Legislative career
Elections
Hunt was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2018, after defeating the incumbent Republican incumbent William M. Brawley. The 2018 race was decided by only 68 votes after being one of the most expensive legislative races in the state that year.[7] Hunt was re-elected in 2020 by 9.86% in a rematch against Brawley.[8] In 2022, Hunt was elected to the North Carolina Senate to replace Jeff Jackson who vacated the seat to run for the United States House of Representatives.[2] On November 8, 2022, Hunt defeated Cheryl Russo in the race to represent the 42nd State district.[8]
Tenure
Despite serving in the minority, Hunt helped pass several pieces of bipartisan legislation including clean energy legislation to cut carbon emissions by 70%. Hunt has also co-sponsored bills to codify Roe v. Wade and expand Medicaid.[3][9]
Committee assignments
Hunt served on several committees during her time in the North Carolina General Assembly.
During the 2019–2020 state house session, Hunt served on the Appropriations (Capital subcommittee), as well as the Education (Community Colleges subcommittee); Agriculture; Families, Children, and Aging Policy; and Judiciary committees.
During the 2021–2022 state house session, Hunt was on the Appropriations Committee (Education subcommittee). She also served as vice chair of the Education Committee (Community Colleges subcommittee), and was a member of the Education (K–12 subcommittee); Families, Children, and Aging Policy; and Judiciary I committees.[8]
During the 2023–2024 state senate session, she was a member of the Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee; the Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology Committee; the Judiciary Committee; and the Pensions, Retirement, and Aging Committee.[10]
Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
Elections
2024
In 2024, Hunt ran as the Democratic nominee for the office of Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. Endorsed by Governor Roy Cooper, she ran on a platform of expanded funding for public education, increased healthcare access, and assistance to small businesses. In the general election she faced Republican political consultant Hal Weatherman. She cast Weatherman as an extremist and opposed more restrictions on abortion, of which Weatherman was in favor. Hunt won the election, becoming the first Democrat to win a North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial race since 2008.[11]
Tenure
Hunt was officially sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina on January 1, 2025. With this position, Hunt is currently the only elected official in North Carolina to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government.[12]
Personal life
Hunt lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is married since August 1, 1994 to Olav Nilender, a physician.[13] Together they have two children.[14][15]
Electoral history
North Carolina House of Representatives
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rachel Hunt | 19,133 | 50.09% | |
| Republican | Bill Brawley (incumbent) | 19,065 | 49.91% | |
| Total votes | 38,198 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rachel Hunt (incumbent) | 26,818 | 54.93% | |
| Republican | Bill Brawley | 22,008 | 45.07% | |
| Total votes | 48,826 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
North Carolina Senate
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rachel Hunt | 47,621 | 54.96% | |
| Republican | Cheryl Russo | 39,024 | 45.04% | |
| Total votes | 86,645 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Lieutenant Governor
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rachel Hunt | 2,737,528 | 49.44% | |
| Republican | Hal Weatherman | 2,643,943 | 47.75% | |
| Libertarian | Shannon W. Bray | 102,468 | 1.85% | |
| Constitution | Wayne Jones | 53,057 | 0.96% | |
| Total votes | 5,536,996 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
References
- ^ "NC SBE Contest Results". er.ncsbe.gov. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "NC House Democrats Adcock, Hunt aim to switch to Senate". wcnc.com. November 16, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Sands, Alexandria (October 24, 2022). "Political newcomer fed up with school systems faces House rep in Mecklenburg's tightest Senate race". Axios Charlotte. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Morrill, Jim (April 10, 2024). "Jim Hunt's Daughter Tries to Win In a New North Carolina". The Assembly. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
- ^ @huntfornc (May 19, 2024). "This is team Hunt jumping on to wish Rachel a very happy birthday! Celebrate with us and show your support at secure.actblue.com/donate/roedayo…. #ncpol" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Voter Guide: Rachel Hunt, candidate for NC Senate District 42". News and Observer. October 8, 2022.
- ^ After Recount, Rachel Hunt Wins Mecklenburg NC House Seat
- ^ a b c "Rachel Hunt". Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ "Finances for medical marijuana bill finds approval in North Carolina Senate committee". FOX8 WGHP. February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Committees - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ Specht, Paul (November 6, 2024). "Democrat Hunt to replace Robinson; new faces emerge in other Council of State races". WRAL-TV. Capitol Broadcasting Company. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
- ^ "Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt". ltgov.nc.gov. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ^ https://x.com/HuntforNC/status/1819106861423251802
- ^ "Education Advocate, Community Leader Rachel Hunt Announces Candidacy for House District 103". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ "Rachel Hunt's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
- ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [3] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [4] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
External links
- Senator Rachel Hunt legislative website
- Rachel Hunt for North Carolina campaign website
Statewide political officials of North Carolina | ||
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