James B. Hunt, Jr., and the evolution of North Carolina progressivism, 1937--1980

When James B. Hunt, Jr. was born in 1937, the North Carolina progressive tradition had already emerged. Tar Heel progressivism had roots in the early nineteenth century, when reformers, upset by the parsimony of an eastern North Carolina elite that had governed the state since independence, increased the electoral franchise for poor whites, built new roads and railroads, supported industrialization, and spent money on public education. After the Civil War, Radical Republicans and Populists continued the progressive trend, yet their support of black political participation alienated many whites. The progressive Democrats, led originally by Governor Charles Aycock, carried out educational and road-building programs in the early twentieth century after disgracefully accepting the disenfranchisement and segregation of African Americans.; Jim Hunt accepted the ideals of the progressive Democratic North Carolina governors who had served during his youth. He appreciated Kerr Scott for paving rural roads, admired Luther Hodges for recruiting high-wage industries, and praised Terry Sanford for improving the public schools. As a Democratic lieutenant governor and as governor, Jim Hunt continued their efforts by backing the principal tenets of the Tar Heel progressive tradition regarding transportation, industry, and education.; By the time that Hunt decided to run for office in the 1970s, this tradition had evolved. African Americans were voting in record numbers after the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Hunt successfully wooed the black vote ignored by progressive Democrats of earlier generations. He also favored many women's issues after feminists demanded an improvement in their status. Further, he influenced Tar Heel progressives to make the fight against crime as a part of their agenda.; Neither traditional liberals nor social conservatives embraced all of Hunt's middle-of-the-road policies. The liberals did not like his support of the tobacco industry, his refusal to pardon black militants and his neutrality regarding organized labor. Social conservatives opposed him for backing the Equal Rights Amendment, the right to abortion, and a state-managed day care program. Despite their criticism, James B. Hunt, Jr., won three statewide elections between 1972 and 1980 by forging a new progressive coalition that included African Americans, feminists, businessmen, and death-penalty supporters.