Rachel Hunt
Rachel H. Hunt is a member of the North Carolina State Senate. A Democrat, Hunt was elected in November 2022 to represent the 42nd district based in Mecklenburg County. Prior to that, Hunt served two terms in the North Carolina House, twice beating Republican Bill Brawley.[1] She is the Democratic Nominee in the 2024 North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election.
Rachel Hunt | |
|---|---|
| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 42nd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jeff Jackson (redistricted) |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 103rd district | |
| In office January 1, 2019 – January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Brawley |
| Succeeded by | Laura Budd |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Olav Nilender |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Jim Hunt (father) Carolyn Hunt (mother) |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA) University of South Carolina (JD) |
| Website | State Senate website |
Early life and education edit
Hunt is the daughter of former governor Jim Hunt and his wife Carolyn.[2] An attorney and certified college counselor, she is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of South Carolina School of Law.[3]
Legislative career edit
Elections edit
Hunt was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2018, after defeating the incumbent Republican incumbent William M. Brawley. The 2018 race was decided by only 68 votes after being one of the most expensive legislative races in the state that year.[4] Hunt was re-elected in 2020 by 9.86% in a rematch against Brawley.[5] In 2022, Hunt was elected to the North Carolina Senate to replace Jeff Jackson who vacated the seat to run for the United States Senate.[1] On November 8, 2022, Hunt defeated Cheryl Russo in the race to represent the 42nd State district.[5]
Tenure edit
Despite serving in the minority, Hunt helped pass several pieces of bipartisan legislation including clean energy legislation to cut carbon emissions by 70%. Hunt has also co-sponsored bills to codify Roe v. Wade and expand Medicaid.[2][6]
Committee assignments edit
- Agriculture, Energy, and Environment
- Appropriations on General Government and Information Technology
- Judiciary
- Pensions and Retirement and Aging
- 2021–2022 session
- Appropriations
- Appropriations - Education
- Education - Community Colleges (Vice Chair)
- Education - K–12
- Families, Children, and Aging Policy
- Judiciary I
- 2019–2020 session
- Appropriations
- Appropriations - Capital
- Education - Community Colleges
- Agriculture Committee
- Families, Children, and Aging Policy
- Judiciary
Personal life edit
Hunt is a mother of two children, and is married to Olav Nilender, a physician.[8]
Electoral history edit
2022 edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rachel Hunt | 47,621 | 54.96% | |
| Republican | Cheryl Russo | 39,024 | 45.04% | |
| Total votes | 86,645 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2020 edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rachel Hunt (incumbent) | 26,818 | 54.93% | |
| Republican | Bill Brawley | 22,008 | 45.07% | |
| Total votes | 48,826 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2018 edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Rachel Hunt | 19,133 | 50.09% | |
| Republican | Bill Brawley (incumbent) | 19,065 | 49.91% | |
| Total votes | 38,198 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
References edit
- ^ a b "NC House Democrats Adcock, Hunt aim to switch to Senate". wcnc.com. November 16, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Sands, Alexandria (October 24, 2022). "Political newcomer fed up with school systems faces House rep in Mecklenburg's tightest Senate race". Axios Charlotte. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Voter Guide: Rachel Hunt, candidate for NC Senate District 42". News and Observer. October 8, 2022.
- ^ After Recount, Rachel Hunt Wins Mecklenburg NC House Seat
- ^ a b c "Rachel Hunt". Retrieved January 8, 2022.
- ^ "Finances for medical marijuana bill finds approval in North Carolina Senate committee". FOX8 WGHP. February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Committees - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "Education Advocate, Community Leader Rachel Hunt Announces Candidacy for House District 103". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ [1] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [2] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
- ^ [3] North Carolina State Board of Elections.
External links edit
- Senator Rachel Hunt legislative website
- Rachel Hunt for North Carolina campaign website
- Profile at Vote Smart