Rachel Hunt

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Rachel Hunt
BornRachel Henderson Hunt
19 5, 1965
BirthplaceKathmandu, Nepal
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, attorney
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA)
University of South Carolina (JD)
Spouse(s)Olav Nilender
Children2
Website[https://ltgov.nc.gov/about/rachel-hunt Official site]

Rachel Henderson Hunt (born May 19, 1965) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 36th lieutenant governor of North Carolina since January 2025 under Governor Josh Stein. A member of the Democratic Party, Hunt previously represented the 42nd district in the North Carolina State Senate from 2023 to 2025, and before that served two terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives representing the 103rd district in Mecklenburg County from 2019 to 2023. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, Hunt is the daughter of former North Carolina Governor and Lieutenant Governor Jim Hunt, making her a member of one of the state's most prominent political families. She is the second woman to serve as lieutenant governor of North Carolina, following Bev Perdue, who held the office from 2001 to 2009. Since taking office, Hunt has focused on workforce development and education policy, launching a statewide "Future Ready Tour" visiting community colleges across North Carolina. Her political career has been characterized by competitive races in suburban Mecklenburg County districts, including two victories over Republican incumbent Bill Brawley in the state House before transitioning to the state Senate and ultimately winning statewide office.[1][2]

Early Life

Rachel Henderson Hunt was born on May 19, 1965, in Kathmandu, Nepal.[3] She is the daughter of Jim Hunt, who served as the 69th and 71st Governor of North Carolina across four terms (1977–1985 and 1993–2001), making him one of the longest-serving governors in the state's history. Jim Hunt also served as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina from 1973 to 1977, the same office his daughter would later hold. Hunt's birth in Nepal reflects her father's early career in international development work before he entered North Carolina politics.

Hunt grew up in a family deeply immersed in North Carolina public life and education policy. Her father became known for his emphasis on education reform and economic development during his tenure as governor, eventually founding The Hunt Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on education leadership and policy. Rachel Hunt has spoken publicly about the influence of her father's commitment to education on her own political priorities. At an event marking the 25th anniversary of The Hunt Institute in early 2026, she reflected on her father's legacy and issued a challenge to continue advancing educational opportunities across the state.[4]

Hunt has a brother, Baxter Hunt.[5] The Hunt family's role in North Carolina politics has been the subject of media coverage, with Rachel Hunt described as a principal heir to the political legacy established by her father.[6]

Education

Hunt attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She subsequently obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.[7][8] Her legal education provided the professional foundation for her subsequent career in law and public service. Prior to entering politics, Hunt worked as an attorney and education advocate in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.[9]

Career

North Carolina House of Representatives (2019–2023)

Hunt entered electoral politics in 2018, running for the North Carolina House of Representatives in the 103rd district, which is based in Mecklenburg County. She faced Republican incumbent Bill Brawley, a veteran state legislator who had held the seat. The 2018 race proved to be one of the closest contests in the state that cycle. After an initial count and a subsequent recount, Hunt was declared the winner, defeating Brawley by a narrow margin and flipping the seat from Republican to Democratic control.[10][11]

In 2020, Hunt ran for re-election and again faced Brawley in a rematch. She won the contest a second time, securing her hold on the 103rd district seat.[12] Her two consecutive victories over the Republican incumbent in a competitive suburban district demonstrated her electoral strength in the type of swing territory that has become increasingly contested in North Carolina politics.

During her time in the North Carolina House, Hunt positioned herself as an advocate for education and community issues, drawing on both her legal background and her family's longstanding emphasis on education policy. She described herself as an education advocate and community leader during her time in the legislature.[13]

North Carolina State Senate (2023–2025)

In 2022, following redistricting that reshaped legislative boundaries across the state, Hunt ran for the North Carolina State Senate in the newly configured 42nd district, also based in Mecklenburg County. The district had previously been represented by Democrat Jeff Jackson, who departed to pursue other office. Hunt won the November 2022 general election, transitioning from the state House to the upper chamber of the North Carolina General Assembly.[14][15]

The race attracted media attention in part because of the dynamics of the Mecklenburg County political landscape. Axios Charlotte covered the contest, noting that Hunt, as a political figure with established name recognition, faced opponents in what was described as one of the tightest Senate races in the county.[16]

During her single term in the North Carolina Senate, Hunt served on several legislative committees.[17] Among the issues that came before the Senate during her tenure was a medical marijuana bill, which advanced through a Senate committee with bipartisan support for its financing provisions.[18]

Hunt's term in the Senate was relatively brief, as she launched a campaign for lieutenant governor ahead of the 2024 election cycle. She was succeeded in the 42nd district by Woodson Bradley.[19]

2024 Campaign for Lieutenant Governor

Hunt announced her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in the 2024 election cycle. Media coverage framed the race as part of a broader contest for control of North Carolina's executive branch, with several statewide offices expected to see new faces.[20] The Raleigh News & Observer provided voter guide coverage of her candidacy and platform during the campaign.[21]

Hunt ran on the Democratic ticket alongside Josh Stein, who was the party's candidate for governor. The November 2024 general election results showed Hunt winning the lieutenant governor's race.[22] Her victory made her the second woman to serve as lieutenant governor of North Carolina, following Bev Perdue, who held the position from 2001 to 2009 before becoming governor. Hunt succeeded Mark Robinson, a Republican who had held the office since 2021.

Hunt's campaign utilized social media and digital outreach as part of its strategy, with her campaign account sharing updates and policy positions throughout the election cycle.[23][24]

Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina (2025–present)

Hunt took office as the 36th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina on January 1, 2025, serving under Governor Josh Stein.[25] As lieutenant governor, she serves as president of the North Carolina Senate and is first in the line of succession to the governorship.

Since taking office, Hunt has made workforce development and education central to her agenda as lieutenant governor. In early 2026, she launched the "Future Ready Tour," a statewide initiative visiting community colleges across North Carolina to highlight workforce training programs and the role of community colleges in preparing workers for the state's economy.

In February 2026, Hunt visited Alamance Community College as part of the tour. The visit drew coverage from multiple media outlets, which reported on her emphasis on the importance of community colleges in workforce preparation. During the visit, she highlighted how North Carolina's community college system serves as a pipeline for skilled workers in various industries.[26][27][28]

The tour also included a visit to Craven Community College in Craven County, where Hunt toured the college's Havelock campus. The visit was part of the broader "Future-Ready North Carolina" initiative, focusing on how community colleges in eastern North Carolina are adapting their programs to meet regional workforce needs.[29][30]

Hunt's focus on community colleges and workforce development as lieutenant governor echoes themes from her father's tenure as governor, during which education reform was a central priority. At the 25th anniversary celebration of The Hunt Institute in early 2026, she spoke about her father's legacy in education and challenged attendees to continue the work of expanding educational access and quality.[31]

Personal Life

Hunt is married to Olav Nilender. The couple has two children.[32] She resides in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area of North Carolina, where she established her political career through her service in the state legislature representing Mecklenburg County districts.

Hunt's family connections to North Carolina politics are significant. Her father, Jim Hunt, served as both lieutenant governor (1973–1977) and governor (1977–1985, 1993–2001) of North Carolina, making Rachel Hunt's election as lieutenant governor a continuation of a multi-generational political family legacy in the state. Her brother, Baxter Hunt, is also a member of the family. The Hunt family's role in shaping North Carolina's political landscape, particularly in the area of education policy, has been the subject of feature reporting by North Carolina media outlets.[33]

Hunt maintains an official website through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.[34]

Recognition

Hunt's election as lieutenant governor in 2024 was noted as historically significant, as she became the second woman to hold the office in North Carolina's history. The first was Bev Perdue, who served as lieutenant governor from 2001 to 2009. Hunt's achievement was covered by multiple North Carolina media outlets during the 2024 election cycle.

Her political career has attracted attention in part due to her status as the daughter of one of North Carolina's most prominent governors. Media coverage by outlets including The Assembly has explored the intersection of her personal political identity and the broader Hunt family legacy in North Carolina politics.[35]

During her time in the state legislature, Hunt's competitive victories over Republican incumbent Bill Brawley in the 103rd House district in both 2018 and 2020 were notable, particularly the 2018 race, which required a recount before Hunt was declared the winner. These races contributed to her profile as a competitive candidate in swing districts in suburban Mecklenburg County.[36]

Her early work as lieutenant governor, particularly the Future Ready Tour visiting community colleges statewide, has received coverage from local and regional media across North Carolina, bringing attention to workforce development issues and the role of the state's community college system.[37]

References

  1. ↑ "Rachel Hunt".Ballotpedia.https://ballotpedia.org/Rachel_Hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "About Rachel Hunt".Office of the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.https://ltgov.nc.gov/about/rachel-hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Rachel Hunt - Biography".Vote Smart.https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/183473/rachel-hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Perspective: Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt talks about her dad's legacy, issues challenge".EdNC.https://www.ednc.org/perspective-lt-gov-rachel-hunt-talks-about-her-dads-legacy-issues-challenge/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Rachel Hunt".Ballotpedia.https://ballotpedia.org/Rachel_Hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "The Hunt Family Legacy".The Assembly.https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/hunt-family-legacy/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Rachel Hunt - Biography".Vote Smart.https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/183473/rachel-hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Rachel Hunt".Ballotpedia.https://ballotpedia.org/Rachel_Hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Education Advocate, Community Leader Rachel Hunt Announces...".LinkedIn.https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/education-advocate-community-leader-rachel-hunt-announces-hunt-.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "After recount, Rachel Hunt wins Mecklenburg NC House seat".WFAE.2018-11-20.https://www.wfae.org/politics/2018-11-20/after-recount-rachel-hunt-wins-mecklenburg-nc-house-seat.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "2018 Election Results - NC House Contest 1106".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1106.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "2020 Election Results - NC House Contest 1272".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1272.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Education Advocate, Community Leader Rachel Hunt Announces...".LinkedIn.https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/education-advocate-community-leader-rachel-hunt-announces-hunt-.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "2022 Election Results - NC Senate Contest 1323".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2022&county_id=0&office=NCS&contest=1323.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Mecklenburg County: Rachel Hunt NC House Senate Jeff Jackson".WCNC.https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/mecklenburg-county-rachel-hunt-nc-house-senate-jeff-jackson/275-fa76e1c8-ff1f-492d-bf47-22247e327145.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Political newcomer fed up with school systems faces house rep in Mecklenburg's tightest Senate race".Axios Charlotte.https://charlotte.axios.com/311516/political-newcomer-fed-up-with-school-systems-faces-house-rep-in-mecklenburgs-tightest-senate-race/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Senate Member Committees - Rachel Hunt".North Carolina General Assembly.https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Committees/S/442.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Finances for medical marijuana bill finds approval in North Carolina Senate committee".FOX8 WGHP.https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/finances-for-medical-marijuana-bill-finds-approval-in-north-carolina-senate-committee/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Rachel Hunt".Ballotpedia.https://ballotpedia.org/Rachel_Hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "New faces expected for most of North Carolina's executive branch seats: Races to watch".WRAL.https://www.wral.com/story/new-faces-expected-for-most-of-north-carolina-s-executive-branch-seats-races-to-watch/21705794/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Rachel Hunt voter guide".The News & Observer.https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/voter-guide/article266898681.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "2024 Election Results - Council of State Contest 1301".North Carolina State Board of Elections.https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/05/2024&county_id=0&office=COS&contest=1301.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Hunt for NC - social media post".X (formerly Twitter).https://x.com/huntfornc/status/1792263328351302012.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Hunt for NC - social media post".X (formerly Twitter).https://x.com/HuntforNC/status/1819106861423251802.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "About Rachel Hunt".Office of the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.https://ltgov.nc.gov/about/rachel-hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt Visits Alamance Community College as Part of Statewide Future Ready Tour".Alamance Community College.2026-02-19.https://www.alamancecc.edu/news/2026-press-releases/feb-19-lieutenant-governor/rachel-hunt-visits-acc.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt highlights workforce training at Alamance Community College".WXLV ABC 45.https://abc45.com/news/local/lt-gov-rachel-hunt-highlights-workforce-training-at-alamance-community-college.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  28. ↑ "Lt. Gov. Hunt visits ACC on college tour".Burlington Times-News.https://www.thetimesnews.com/news/education/lt-gov-hunt-visits-acc-on-college-tour/article_cf4ea420-860f-5d8e-9266-43fa2633cb96.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt visiting Craven Community College".WITN.2026-02-10.https://www.witn.com/2026/02/10/lt-governor-rachel-hunt-visiting-craven-community-college/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  30. ↑ "Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt tours Craven CC Havelock campus".WNCT.https://www.wnct.com/news/lt-gov-rachel-hunt-tours-craven-community-college/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  31. ↑ "Perspective: Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt talks about her dad's legacy, issues challenge".EdNC.https://www.ednc.org/perspective-lt-gov-rachel-hunt-talks-about-her-dads-legacy-issues-challenge/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "Rachel Hunt".Ballotpedia.https://ballotpedia.org/Rachel_Hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  33. ↑ "The Hunt Family Legacy".The Assembly.https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/hunt-family-legacy/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  34. ↑ "About Rachel Hunt".Office of the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.https://ltgov.nc.gov/about/rachel-hunt.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  35. ↑ "The Hunt Family Legacy".The Assembly.https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/hunt-family-legacy/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  36. ↑ "After recount, Rachel Hunt wins Mecklenburg NC House seat".WFAE.2018-11-20.https://www.wfae.org/politics/2018-11-20/after-recount-rachel-hunt-wins-mecklenburg-nc-house-seat.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  37. ↑ "Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt Visits Alamance Community College as Part of Statewide Future Ready Tour".Alamance Community College.2026-02-19.https://www.alamancecc.edu/news/2026-press-releases/feb-19-lieutenant-governor/rachel-hunt-visits-acc.php.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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