Jim Broyhill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Broyhill
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| Secretary of Commerce of North Carolina | |
| In office 1989–1990 |
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| Governor | James G. Martin |
| Preceded by | Claude E. Pope |
| Succeeded by | Estell C. Lee |
| United States Senator from North Carolina |
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| In office July 14, 1986 – November 4, 1986 |
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| Appointed by | James G. Martin |
| Preceded by | John Porter East |
| Succeeded by | Terry Sanford |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina |
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| In office January 3, 1963 – July 14, 1986 |
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| Preceded by | Hugh Quincy Alexander |
| Succeeded by | Cass Ballenger |
| Constituency | 9th district (1963-1969) 10th district (1969-1986) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Thomas Broyhill
August 19, 1927 Lenoir, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | February 18, 2023 (aged 95) Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Parent | James Edgar Broyhill (father) |
| Education | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Profession | Businessman |
James Thomas Broyhill (born August 19, 1927 – died February 18, 2023) was an American businessman and politician. He was a member of the Republican Party. Broyhill served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for North Carolina. He represented a large part of North Carolina's Foothills region in the House from 1963 to 1986. He also served as a U.S. Senator for a few months in 1986.
About Jim Broyhill
Jim Broyhill was born in Lenoir, North Carolina. He was the youngest son of James Edgar Broyhill, a successful furniture businessman. His father was involved in the Republican National Committee for many years.
After attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jim Broyhill joined his father's company in 1945. He worked there in different roles until 1962. He was also active in business groups and was a community leader in Lenoir.
Becoming a Congressman
Broyhill wanted to make elections in North Carolina more competitive. He believed he could help the Republican Party grow by running for office himself.
In 1962, Broyhill ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in North Carolina's 9th Congressional District. He won by a small margin, which was a surprise. This happened partly because of new district maps drawn after the 1960 census. These changes helped him win against the Democratic candidate, Hugh Quincy Alexander.
Broyhill became very popular in his district. He was known for his conservative views and for taking good care of the people he represented. He won reelection 10 more times. His district was later renumbered as the 10th District in 1969.
A major achievement during his time in the House was helping to create the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This group works to make sure products are safe for people to use.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
On June 29, 1986, Senator John P. East passed away. Broyhill had already won the Republican vote to run for East's seat. So, Governor Jim Martin appointed Broyhill to fill the Senate seat for the rest of the term. This was meant to give Broyhill an advantage in the upcoming election. However, Terry Sanford, the Democratic candidate and former governor, won the election in November. Sanford then took office right away.
After Congress
After his time in the Senate, Broyhill continued to serve North Carolina. He was the chairman of the North Carolina Economic Development Commission. Later, he became the state's Secretary of Commerce.
He retired from politics in 1991. Two years later, he was appointed to the board of trustees for Appalachian State University. The Post Office in Lenoir, North Carolina, was also renamed in his honor.
Jim Broyhill passed away on February 18, 2023, at the age of 95. He lived in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with his wife, Louise Broyhill. He had a daughter, Marilyn, and two sons, Ed and Phillip (who passed away in 2014).
