Governor James E. Holshouser

JAMES (JIM) E. HOLSHOUSER JR. was born October 8, 1934, in Boone, North Carolina. He graduated from Davidson College and obtained a law degree from the University of North Carolina Law School. Holshouser served as a member of the North Carolina State House of Representatives in 1963, from 1965 to 1966, and in 1969 and 1971. During his terms, Holshouser served as House Minority Leader and Chair of Republican State Executive Committee from 1966 to 1972.He was elected Governor of North Carolina in 1972, the first Republican governor since 1896. As governor, he was instrumental in establishing an Efficient Study Commission and he sought to increase foreign trade; develop a modern transportation system, including a mass transit system; and pledged open communications and more involvement with the press and minority groups. He also called for educational and state parks improvements. During his term, Governor Holshouser chaired the Southern Regional Education Board from 1974 to 1975 and served on the National Governors’ Conference Executive Committee from 1973 to 1976).