Governor Pat McCrory

Governor Pat McCrory served as the 74th Governor of North Carolina from 2013 to 2017, a career landmark preceded by his historic 14-year tenure as the longest-serving Mayor of Charlotte. McCrory’s public service career began in 1989 with his election as an At-Large City Councilman in Charlotte, a role he maintained through re-election in 1991 and 1993, also serving as Mayor Pro Tem from 1993 to 1995. Prior to his extensive political career, McCrory spent 28 years in the private sector with Duke Energy, retiring in January 2008 to fully dedicate himself to public service. Elected Mayor of Charlotte in 1995, McCrory spearheaded a period of significant municipal growth, overseeing a 20% population increase and the revitalization of the Uptown area.

The Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act (HB2) in 2016 presented a notable challenge, drawing national attention and extensive debate during his governorship. Since concluding his gubernatorial term, McCrory has continued to engage in public discourse, notably hosting a radio show and undertaking a campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2022. Professionally, he holds degrees in political science and education from Catawba College, an institution that further honored his career by awarding him an honorary doctorate of legal letters in 2001.