James Baxter Hunt Jr. (May 16, 1937 --) was a four-term Democratic governor of North Carolina (1977-1985, and again from 1993-2001). Hunt created the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards .

Hunt is a graduate of North Carolina State University, with a B.S. in agricultural education and a M.S. in agricultural economics. In 1964, he received a J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law .

Hunt is the only Governor of North Carolina to have been elected to four terms. He previous served a term as Lieutenant Governor (1973-1977). In 1984 he lost a close race for the U.S. Senate seat held by Jesse Helms.

Quotes by Jim Hunt

• "Education is our future -- it’s everything. We must not settle for anything short of excellence in our schools."