Jim Gardner (politician) facts for kids
James Carson "Jim" Gardner (born April 8, 1933) is an American businessman and politician from North Carolina. He was a member of the Republican Party. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1967 to 1969. Later, he became the 30th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, serving from 1989 to 1993.
Quick facts for kids
Jim Gardner
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Gardner in the 1960s
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| 30th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina | |
| In office January 7, 1989 – January 9, 1993 |
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| Governor | James G. Martin |
| Preceded by | Robert B. Jordan |
| Succeeded by | Dennis A. Wicker |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 4th district |
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| In office January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1969 |
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| Preceded by | Harold D. Cooley |
| Succeeded by | Nick Galifianakis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Carson Gardner
April 8, 1933 Rocky Mount, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 1962) Republican (1962–present) |
| Education | North Carolina State University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1953–1955 |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jim Gardner was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He went to public schools in his hometown. After high school, he attended North Carolina State University. Before starting his career, Gardner served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955.
Business Ventures
In May 1961, Jim Gardner started his business career. He opened the very first Hardee's fast food restaurant franchise. This first Hardee's was located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Later, in 1968, Gardner bought a professional basketball team. The team was called the Houston Mavericks. After one season, he moved the team to North Carolina. They became known as the Carolina Cougars. He also served as a temporary leader for the American Basketball Association (ABA) for a short time.
Political Career
Jim Gardner first became well-known in politics in 1964. He ran for a seat in the United States Congress. At that time, he almost won against a long-serving Democratic politician. Gardner had grown up as a Democrat. However, he changed to the Republican Party in 1962. The Republican Party was becoming more popular in the Southern United States during this period.
In 1966, Gardner was the chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party. He ran for Congress again and won. He defeated the Democratic incumbent by a large margin. He represented a district that included Raleigh and his hometown of Rocky Mount.
Gardner also ran for Governor of North Carolina several times. He tried in 1968, 1972, and 1992. In 1968 and 1992, he won the Republican nomination. However, he lost the main election to Democratic candidates. In 1972, he did not win the Republican nomination.
Lieutenant Governor
In 1988, Jim Gardner achieved a significant political victory. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. He was the first Republican to hold this position in many years. He served from January 1989 to January 1993. During this time, a Republican governor, James G. Martin, was also in office.
The Lieutenant Governor is like a vice-governor. They are second in command in the state government. They also lead the state Senate. After Gardner, several Democrats held the Lieutenant Governor position. Then, in 2013, another Republican was elected.
Later Political Involvement
After his term as Lieutenant Governor, Gardner remained active in politics. He supported other Republican candidates. He was known as one of the "Four Jims" of the North Carolina Republican Party. This group included important Republican leaders in the state.
In January 2013, Gardner helped lead the ceremony for the new Governor, Pat McCrory. This event was special because it marked the return of Republicans to the governor's office. This was the first time since Gardner's own defeat in 1992.
At 79 years old, Gardner took on another public role. In 2013, Governor McCrory appointed him to lead a state commission. This commission was responsible for managing certain state-regulated businesses. He retired from this position on February 8, 2017.
