George Holding
Encyclopedia
George E. B. Holding served as the United States Attorney for North Carolina’s Eastern District from 2006 to 2011. A conservative, he is now a Republican candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District.
. He attended Wake Forest University
, studying Classics. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree he studied law at Wake Forest University School of Law. During law school he met his future wife, Lucy Herriott. They married after graduating and returned to Raleigh where Holding practiced law with Kilpatrick Stockton, one of the oldest law firms in North Carolina.
In 1998, Holding left the practice of law to serve as legislative counsel to Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) in Washington. He returned to Raleigh to serve as Assistant U.S. Attorney and then U.S. Attorney in 2002.
He also led successful prosecutions in a number of high-profile political corruption cases, including former N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps
, former House Speaker Jim Black
and former U.S. Congressman Frank Ballance
. He also prosecuted a state judge, state Senator, state Representative, and several sheriffs for public corruption. And he worked closely with state prosecutors investigating former Governor Mike Easley
, who was convicted of a state felony.
After President Obama took office, Holding was asked to remain in office to complete ongoing public corruption investigations.
, former U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth
and Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison.
He announced his candidacy in July 2011, stating: “Two hundred years ago no one – not Jefferson nor Adams nor Washington – dreamed government was going to end up catering to every need people have from cradle to grave. But they did warn about the danger of anyone clever enough to muster 51% of the votes in Congress reaching into the federal treasury and helping themselves at everyone else’s expense. That’s a pretty good example of how Washington works today – and that kind of politics has to end.”
During his campaign he has drawn a sharp contrast between his stance on government spending and President Obama’s, saying he wants to “cut, cut, cut” Obama’s spending and “give Obama’s policies the boot.” He has been endorsed by prominent business and civic leaders including Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders.
Early Life and Education
The youngest of five children, Holding grew up in RaleighRaleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
. He attended Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
, studying Classics. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree he studied law at Wake Forest University School of Law. During law school he met his future wife, Lucy Herriott. They married after graduating and returned to Raleigh where Holding practiced law with Kilpatrick Stockton, one of the oldest law firms in North Carolina.
In 1998, Holding left the practice of law to serve as legislative counsel to Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) in Washington. He returned to Raleigh to serve as Assistant U.S. Attorney and then U.S. Attorney in 2002.
U.S. Attorney's Office
As U.S. Attorney, Holding was a tough prosecutor. When he left office the average sentence in drug trafficking cases in eastern North Carolina was almost twice the national average. He indicted eight defendants for conspiring to promote terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad and convicted a number of child pornographers, several of whom were sentenced to more than 100 years in prison.He also led successful prosecutions in a number of high-profile political corruption cases, including former N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps
Meg Scott Phipps
Meg Scott Phipps was the Commissioner of Agriculture for the state of North Carolina from 2001 to 2003.-Early life:She is the daughter of former North Carolina governor Bob Scott and former First Lady Jessie Rae Scott, as well as the granddaughter of former U.S. Senator and North Carolina Governor...
, former House Speaker Jim Black
James B. Black
Dr. James "Jim" Boyce Black is a member of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and a former Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly who represented the state's 100th House district, including constituents in Mecklenburg County...
and former U.S. Congressman Frank Ballance
Frank Ballance
Frank W. Ballance, Jr. , American politician, was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 2003 to 2004, representing North Carolina's 1st congressional district and is a convicted felon.-Background:...
. He also prosecuted a state judge, state Senator, state Representative, and several sheriffs for public corruption. And he worked closely with state prosecutors investigating former Governor Mike Easley
Mike Easley
Michael Francis "Mike" Easley is an American politician who served as the 72nd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina, from 2001 to 2009. He is member of the North Carolina Democratic Party and became the first North Carolina governor to admit to a felony in a deal that halted a lengthy...
, who was convicted of a state felony.
After President Obama took office, Holding was asked to remain in office to complete ongoing public corruption investigations.
2012 Congressional Announcement
Following his resignation in 2011, Holding was urged to run for Congress by former N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverly LakeBeverly Lake
-People:* I. Beverly Lake , American jurist and public official* I. Beverly Lake, Sr. , North Carolina jurist, law professor at Wake Forest University and Campbell University, and politician-Places:* Beverly Lake , Canada...
, former U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth
Lauch Faircloth
Duncan McLauchlin "Lauch" Faircloth , served one term as a Republican U.S. Senator from North Carolina.Before his Senate service, Faircloth was a prominent and wealthy hog farmer...
and Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison.
He announced his candidacy in July 2011, stating: “Two hundred years ago no one – not Jefferson nor Adams nor Washington – dreamed government was going to end up catering to every need people have from cradle to grave. But they did warn about the danger of anyone clever enough to muster 51% of the votes in Congress reaching into the federal treasury and helping themselves at everyone else’s expense. That’s a pretty good example of how Washington works today – and that kind of politics has to end.”
During his campaign he has drawn a sharp contrast between his stance on government spending and President Obama’s, saying he wants to “cut, cut, cut” Obama’s spending and “give Obama’s policies the boot.” He has been endorsed by prominent business and civic leaders including Wayne County Sheriff Carey Winders.