James Carson Gardner
Encyclopedia
James Carson "Jim" Gardner (born April 8, 1933) is a North Carolina
businessman and politician who served as a U.S. Representative (1967–1969) and as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
(1989–1993).
In May 1961, Gardner, along with Leonard Rawls, opened the first franchise store of the fast food restaurant Hardee's
in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
. Later, in 1969, he bought the troubled Houston Mavericks
of the American Basketball Association
and moved them to North Carolina a year later as the Carolina Cougars
.
Active in Republican politics from the days the party barely existed in North Carolina, Gardner first made a splash when he ran for Congress in 1964 and nearly defeated 30-year Democratic
incumbent Harold D. Cooley
, the powerful chairman of the United States House Committee on Agriculture
. In 1966, however, Gardner toppled Cooley by a shocking 13-point margin to represent a district that included Raleigh
as well as his home in Rocky Mount.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of North Carolina
in 1968, 1972, and 1992. In both 1968 and in 1992, he won the Republican nomination, but lost to Democrats Robert W. Scott
and Jim Hunt
, respectively. In 1972, he lost the nomination to Jim Holshouser, the first of only two Republican governors of North Carolina of the 20th century. In 1989, Gardner became the first Republican elected lieutenant governor since Charles A. Reynolds
, who served from 1897 to 1901. Gardner served during the second term of Republican Governor James G. Martin
. In response to the election of Republican Gardner, the Democratic-controlled General Assembly
transferred many of the powers of the Lieutenant Governor over to the President Pro Tempore
of the North Carolina Senate
.
As of 2010, Gardner was the last Republican to have served as Lieutenant Governor, with Democrats Dennis Wicker, Beverly Perdue, and Walter Dalton having been elected to the post since Gardner left office.
In September 2011, Gardner endorsed the candidacy of Wake County Commissioner
Tony Gurley
for Lieutenant Governor
. He said he was making a rare entry into Republican primary politics, but said he liked the idea that Gurley, a pharmacy owner, had a background in business.
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
businessman and politician who served as a U.S. Representative (1967–1969) and as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina is the second highest elected official in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is the only elected official to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government...
(1989–1993).
In May 1961, Gardner, along with Leonard Rawls, opened the first franchise store of the fast food restaurant Hardee's
Hardee's
Hardee's is a restaurant chain, located mostly in the Southeast and Midwestern regions of the United States. It has evolved through several corporate ownerships since its establishment in 1960. It is currently owned and operated by CKE Restaurants. Along with its sibling restaurant chain, Carl's...
in Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
. Later, in 1969, he bought the troubled Houston Mavericks
Houston Mavericks
The Houston Mavericks were a charter member of the American Basketball Association. They played in the upstart league's first two seasons, from 1967 to 1969. Their home arena was the Sam Houston Coliseum...
of the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
and moved them to North Carolina a year later as the Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars
Carolina Cougars was a basketball franchise in the former American Basketball Association that existed from late 1969 through 1974. The Cougars were originally a charter member of the ABA as the Houston Mavericks in 1967. The Mavericks moved to North Carolina in late 1969 after two unsuccessful...
.
Active in Republican politics from the days the party barely existed in North Carolina, Gardner first made a splash when he ran for Congress in 1964 and nearly defeated 30-year Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
incumbent Harold D. Cooley
Harold D. Cooley
Harold Dunbar Cooley was an American politician of the Democratic Party. He represented the Fourth Congressional district of North Carolina from 1934 - 1967...
, the powerful chairman of the United States House Committee on Agriculture
United States House Committee on Agriculture
The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, or Agriculture Committee is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. The House Committee on Agriculture has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of some federal agencies, and it can recommend funding...
. In 1966, however, Gardner toppled Cooley by a shocking 13-point margin to represent a district that included Raleigh
Raleigh, 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...
as well as his home in Rocky Mount.
He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of North Carolina
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
in 1968, 1972, and 1992. In both 1968 and in 1992, he won the Republican nomination, but lost to Democrats Robert W. Scott
Robert W. Scott
Robert Walter "Bob" Scott was the 67th Governor of the state of North Carolina from 1969 to 1973. He was born in Haw River, North Carolina.The son of North Carolina Governor W...
and Jim Hunt
Jim Hunt
James Baxter Hunt Jr. is an American politician who was the 69th and 71st Governor of the state of North Carolina . He is the longest-serving governor in the state's history.-Early life:...
, respectively. In 1972, he lost the nomination to Jim Holshouser, the first of only two Republican governors of North Carolina of the 20th century. In 1989, Gardner became the first Republican elected lieutenant governor since Charles A. Reynolds
Charles A. Reynolds
Charles Albert Reynolds was a civil engineer and North Carolina Republican politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina from 1897 to 1901. Limited to one term in office by the state constitution of the time, Reynolds later ran unsuccessfully for the U.S...
, who served from 1897 to 1901. Gardner served during the second term of Republican Governor James G. Martin
James G. Martin
James Grubbs "Jim" Martin is the 70th Governor of the state of North Carolina. He served from 1985 to 1993. He was the second Republican elected to the office after Reconstruction, and the fifth overall. He is also the only Republican to serve two full terms as governor.-Early Life &...
. In response to the election of Republican Gardner, the Democratic-controlled General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
transferred many of the powers of the Lieutenant Governor over to the President Pro Tempore
President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate
The President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate is the highest-ranking officer of one house of the North Carolina General Assembly. The President of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, but the President Pro-Tem actually holds most of the power and presides in the...
of the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
.
As of 2010, Gardner was the last Republican to have served as Lieutenant Governor, with Democrats Dennis Wicker, Beverly Perdue, and Walter Dalton having been elected to the post since Gardner left office.
In September 2011, Gardner endorsed the candidacy of Wake County Commissioner
Wake County Board of Commissioners
The Wake County Board of Commissioners are a seven-member governing board for Wake County, which includes the City of Raleigh. They elected at-large to serve four-year terms. Terms are staggered so that, every two years, three or four Commissioners are up for election...
Tony Gurley
Tony Gurley
Tony Gurley is an American businessman and political figure from North Carolina. He is serving his third term on the Wake County Board of Commissioners, having been first elected in 2002. Gurley served as Vice-Chairman in 2005 and as Chairman in 2006-2007, and 2010. By trade, Gurley is both a...
for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina is the second highest elected official in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is the only elected official to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government...
. He said he was making a rare entry into Republican primary politics, but said he liked the idea that Gurley, a pharmacy owner, had a background in business.