Michael Francis Easley (born 23 March 1950) We must remember that North Carolina is more than a collection of regions and people. We are one state, one people, one family, bound by a common concern for each other. Our economic and educational development must reflect this common spirit of purpose as we build our future. - Gov. Mike Easley's "One North Carolina" Inaugural Address January 6, 2001
Under Governor Michael F. Easley’s leadership, North Carolina’s top ranked business climate prospers. Governor Easley has taken action to control spending growth and reduce the cost of government to finance increased investments in education and infrastructure – key components to attracting quality business and industry to the state. Easley’s innovative strategies have helped lure new and expanding businesses. General Electric, General Dynamics, and Merck Company have chosen to expand their presence in North Carolina in the past year.
Education is among Easley’s top priorities. He is working to reduce class size in grades K-3, and his “More at Four” pre-kindergarten program for at-risk four-year-olds ensures that children come to school prepared and ready to learn. The state’s growing investment in education is paying off. North Carolina’s national test scores are among the best in the nation and the state’s highly rated community college system is helping workers across the state transition their skills to better market themselves in today’s global economy.
Easley’s inauguration as Governor followed nearly two decades of public service spent fighting crime, protecting children and the elderly, and standing up for working families. In 1982, he became district attorney for the 13th judicial district in Brunswick, Bladen and Columbus counties. One of the state’s youngest district attorneys ever, he was named among USA Today’s top “drug busters.” He was elected as North Carolina’s attorney general in 1992 and reelected to a second term in 1996. As attorney general, he worked to remove the state’s prison cap and helped create an environmental crimes task force and a citizens’ rights division to combat hate crimes, child abuse and elder abuse. He spearheaded efforts to reach the historic national tobacco settlement and expanded the Child Victims Assistance Project, a program he started as district attorney.
Born in Nash County, North Carolina in 1950, Easley was raised on a tobacco farm the second of seven children. Easley received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina in 1972 with honors. In 1975, he earned his law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law, where his wife Mary now serves as a professor of law. He graduated cum laude from law school and also served as Managing Editor of the Law Review. He and his wife Mary have one child, Michael, Jr.
| Preceded by: Jim Hunt |
Governors of North Carolina | Succeeded by: incumbent |
