Tagged: Jim Holshouser

One of North Carolina’s few Republican governors of the twentieth century, Jim Holshouser, died yesterday after suffering from a long illness.

He was known for a wide range of progressive accomplishments, from establishing statewide enrollment for kindergarteners to setting up health clinics in under-served rural areas.

The former governor was known as a centrist who worked well with both Democrats and Republicans.

Former North Carolina Governor Jim Holshouser has died.  Holshouser's family says he died this morning at a hospital in Pinehurst.  A native of Boone, he was North Carolina's first Republican governor in the 20th century, serving from 1973 to 1977.  Holshouser received an undergraduate degree from Davidson College and a law degree from UNC Chapel Hill. 

While in office, Holshouser created a UNC Board of Governors and supported the expansion of public school kindergartens. He also established rural health clinics and added to the state parks system.