Rachel Hunt

Rachel Henderson Hunt (born May 19, 1965) is an American politician serving as the 36th lieutenant governor of North Carolina since 2025 under Governor Josh Stein. A Democrat, Hunt previously was a member of the North Carolina State Senate, having been elected in November 2022 to represent the 42nd district, based in Mecklenburg County. Previously, she served two terms in the North Carolina House, twice defeating Republican Bill Brawley. She is also the second woman to serve as lieutenant governor of the state, following Bev Perdue.

Early life and education Hunt, the daughter of governor Jim Hunt and Carolyn Hunt, was born on May 19, 1965, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where her father was working for the Ford Foundation at the time. She and her brother, Baxter Hunt, grew up in rural Wilson County, North Carolina, until her father was elected governor in 1976.

Legislative career Elections Hunt was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2018, after defeating 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. Hunt was re-elected in 2020 by 9.86% in a rematch against Brawley. In 2022, Hunt was elected to the North Carolina Senate to replace Jeff Jackson who vacated the seat to run for the United States House of Representatives. On November 8, 2022, Hunt defeated Cheryl Russo in the race to represent the 42nd State district.

Committee assignments Hunt served on several committees during her time in the North Carolina General Assembly.

During the 2019–2020 state house session, Hunt served on the Appropriations (Capital subcommittee), as well as the Education (Community Colleges subcommittee); Agriculture; Families, Children, and Aging Policy; and Judiciary committees.

During the 2021–2022 state house session, Hunt was on the Appropriations Committee (Education subcommittee). She also served as vice chair of the Education Committee (Community Colleges subcommittee), and was a member of the Education (K–12 subcommittee); Families, Children, and Aging Policy; and Judiciary I committees.

Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina Elections

2024

In 2024, Hunt ran as the Democratic nominee for the office of Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina. Endorsed by Governor Roy Cooper, she ran on a platform of expanded funding for public education, increased healthcare access, and assistance to small businesses. In the general election she faced Republican political consultant Hal Weatherman. She cast Weatherman as an extremist and opposed more restrictions on abortion, of which Weatherman was in favor. Hunt won the election, becoming the first Democrat to win a North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial race since 2008.

Tenure

Hunt was officially sworn in as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina on January 1, 2025. With this position, Hunt is currently the only elected official in North Carolina to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government.

When Hunt's office was moving into the Hawkins-Hartness House, they noticed that some of the rooms were left empty, with many of the house's chairs, tables, lamps, and other items missing. State agencies began replacing the furniture for Hunt's team, and she filed a budget request with the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management requesting $97,000 for new furnishings and carpeting and $115,000 for improved security on the house.

Personal life Hunt lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been married, since August 1, 1994, to Olav Nilender, a physician. Together they have two children.

Electoral history

North Carolina House of Representatives

North Carolina Senate

Lieutenant Governor