Mike Easley
Encyclopedia
Michael Francis "Mike" Easley (born March 23, 1950) is an American politician who served as the 72nd Governor of the U.S. state
of North Carolina
, from 2001 to 2009. He is member of the North Carolina Democratic Party
and became the first North Carolina governor to admit to a felony in a deal that halted a lengthy federal investigation. Easley is also North Carolina's second Catholic governor. Thomas Burke
was the first, though Easley is the first elected by popular vote.
. His father, Alexander Easley, owned one of the two big tobacco warehouses in the area. Easley earned a degree with Latin honors in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in 1972. While at UNC he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta
Fraternity. He then attended the North Carolina Central University
School of Law, earning his J.D. degree, with Latin honors, in 1976.
until June 8, 2009, when her contract was terminated by the NC State Board of Trustees. She is a former law professor at North Carolina Central University and also worked for ten years as a prosecutor. The two have one son, Michael Easley, Jr.
, one of the youngest ever in the state, in 1982.
A Democrat
, Easley ran unsuccessfully in that party's 1990 primary for the U.S. Senate; he lost to former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt
, who himself lost to incumbent Jesse Helms
. Easley was elected North Carolina Attorney General
in 1992. He won reelection in 1996. In the 1996 election for Attorney General, Easley garnered 59.07% of the vote, compared with opponent Robert H. Edmonds, Jr.'s 40.93% of votes. This represented a margin of victory of 446,169 votes. In the 1996 election,
In 2000, Easley ran to succeed the term-limited Hunt as Governor of North Carolina
. He defeated incumbent Lieutenant Governor
Dennis A. Wicker
in the Democratic primary, and then successfully challenged Republican
Richard Vinroot
, former mayor of Charlotte
, in the general election. Easley was reelected in 2004
, running against New Hanover County
state senator Patrick Ballantine.
filmed an ad endorsing Easley, which some observers believe led to Easley's victory, called the "Mayberry Miracle."
Education reform
was a centerpiece of Easley's tenure as Governor, to such an extent that in 2008, Easley received the inaugural "America's Greatest Education Governor" award from the National Education Association
. The award was created to showcase "public officials who have demonstrated exemplary achievements and accomplishments in advancing public education." Easley was commended by the NEA for his focus on improving teacher working conditions and for affording teachers a "seat at the table" in discussions surrounding the implementation of education reforms in the state.
One of Easley's major programs was More at Four, an innovative academic pre-kindergarten for at-risk children. More at Four has received extensive praise from groups such as the National Education Association
. Another signature program of Easley's was the award-winning "Learn and Earn" initiative, which enabled North Carolina high school students to earn college credit by taking online courses at no cost to them or to their families. The "Learn and Earn" program received the Innovations in American Government Award from Harvard University
's Kennedy School of Government. Presenting the award, Harvard noted that in "2006-2007, rates of grade promotion and graduation for Learn and Earn participants were higher than the statewide average, with nearly half the Learn and Earn high schools seeing 100 percent promotion rates." Harvard also observed that these numbers have not "been skewed by "creaming." The program purposely targets kids at risk, those for whom English is a second language[,] and those who would be first-generation college students." Easley also initiated a program to enable North Carolina students to attain a debt-free undergraduate education by receiving EARN Grants of up to $8,000 over two years. In 2007, Easley wrote and published a children's book, "Look Out College, Here I Come," the proceeds of which fund a North Carolina education charity.
His tenure faced budget shortfalls, tough economic times, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and flood
s. Easley received mixed reviews on his handling of fiscal
problems in the state. His supporters claimed many of the budget shortfall situations were created before he even took office, during the Hunt administration, while his detractors criticized his support of raising sales taxes multiple times to cover the cost of new state programs.
During his administration, Easley was not afraid to confront the state legislature
. Easley is the first North Carolina governor to use the power of veto
, which voters gave the governor's office in 1996. First, in November 2002, Easley vetoed legislation related to unqualified appointments to various boards and commissions. In June 2003, he vetoed a bill that stripped the State Board of Education of its authority to set teacher standards. In August 2003, he vetoed HB 917 which raised fees charged by finance companies. In July 2004, he vetoed HB 429 which would have required local governments to make cash payments to billboard owners of up to five times the annual revenue generated by the billboard upon its removal. In March 2005, he vetoed SB 130 which would have conveyed state property. In Sept. 2005, he vetoed HB 706 which would have affected teacher standards. In August 2007 he vetoed HB 1761, a controversial financial incentives bill which would have awarded up to forty million dollars to companies within the state. Easley has used his veto power a total of nine times as of 2008. His ninth veto was the first to be overridden
by the legislature in North Carolina history.
Easley ran for a second term as governor in 2004. He easily defeated Rickey Kipfer, his only opponent in the Democratic primary, and faced Republican former state senator Patrick Ballantine and Libertarian Barbara Howe
in November 2004. Though the state voted for Republicans George W. Bush
for president
and Richard Burr
as United States Senator, Easley won his second term as governor and Democrats reestablished control over both chambers of the state legislature (the House had been split equally between the two major parties since 2003).
Easley supported a controversial state-wide lottery
, which was ultimately approved on August 31, 2005 after Lieutenant Governor Bev Perdue
cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. He has stated that proceeds from the lottery will be used for much-needed educational programs.
Easley presided over 27 executions, including the 1000th after the death penalty was reintroduced in the United States
in 1976. He, however, granted commutation to two death row inmates. The North Carolina governor has the sole right to commute death sentences imposed by a state court.
Easley declined to run against Elizabeth Dole
for her Senate seat in 2008. He was considered to be a possible candidate for U.S. Senate to run against Sen. Richard Burr
in 2010, but he had strongly denied interest in the race. The Raleigh News & Observer speculated in October 2006 that Easley was going to act like a presidential contender in order to position himself for the vice presidential nomination or a Cabinet post.
In 2008, in a case that drew international attention, a North Carolina state trooper was filmed hanging and kicking a police dog he was training. After the trooper's superiors recommended minor punishment, Easley's office recommended that the trooper be fired. The case is ongoing, with the state's canine units currently suspended.
As Governor, Easley was a member of the National Governors Association
, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Democratic Governors Association
. However, he was known for being "reclusive" while in office.
He was succeeded as governor by his Lieutenant Governor
, Bev Perdue
, who defeated Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory in a close race
. After leaving office, Easley went to work part-time promoting early college high schools and similar programs for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
s, advocates welfare reform
, is against gun control
, and is receptive to free trade
issues. However, he is closer to the Democratic base on other issues. He supports the enactment of the Equal Rights Amendment
, upholding Social Security
, increasing public healthcare funding for the poor and children, and providing services to illegal immigrants.
During the 2004 Democratic primaries
, he supported North Carolina Senator John Edwards
.
In the 2008 campaigns, Easley initially endorsed the presidential candidacy of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
on April 28, 2008. After Senator Barack Obama
won the Democratic nomination, Easley endorsed him against Republican nominee John McCain
.
and one to Russia
and Estonia
, for cultural exchanges at a cost of $109,000 for nine people, including $27,000 for rental of a Mercedes and almost $9,000 in hotel and Monet tour costs, months after the North Carolina Museum of Art
's Monet exhibit had ended. A separate trip to Italy
in April 2008 taken jointly by the Easleys resulted in more than $100,000 in charges to taxpayers, including $51,640 for a Mercedes
and a chauffeur
. Easley noted that the taxis in Rome were Mercedes vehicles, not Ford Crown Victorias, as in America. Republican critics called the trips overly lavish in a time of economic downturn for the state.
Although the director of the North Carolina Museum of Art
defended Mary Easley's trips as having helped the museum receive loaned art items from The Hermitage
in St. Petersburg, the Raleigh News and Observer noted that no results of the trips were yet evident as of July 2008. State auditor Les Merritt
released a report October 31, 2008 that found that 40% of the overseas charges were "unreasonable or unallowable." Mary Easley hired state Senator Tony Rand
as her lawyer in dealing with the state auditor. Mrs. Easley's efforts also resulted in the North Carolina Museum of Art
's obtaining a collection of Auguste Rodin
's work valued at $35,000,000, and in the construction of a new Greek Art wing for the museum.
Merritt found that the $27,000, on-call chauffeured SUV often followed Mary Easley's tour bus through the countryside rather than serving as her transportation. In Russia, hundreds of dollars were charged to the state for both caviar
and alcohol purchases. $45,000 in private funds from the NC Art Museum's foundation were used to reimburse the state following the auditor's finding.
News reports of Mary Easley receiving an 88% annual pay raise for her job as executive-in-residence at North Carolina State University
in the University of North Carolina
system also did not help Easley's popularity with voters. Merritt's audit, however, has been criticized as being "partisan and lack[ing in] credibility."
The pay increase violated a university system policy in which large pay increases must have prior approval, and NC State University ruled that one-third of Mary Easley's salary must be paid with private funds.
Easley also garnered controversy during the 2006 Duke University lacrosse case. He appointed Mike Nifong on the condition that he not run for election for District Attorney. Nifong was later elected before being disgraced and disbarred. Easley, however, did not make any effort to remove Nifong until openly criticizing him, and only well after ethics complaints had been launched.
More controversy surfaced months after Easley left office in January 2009. According to Raleigh's News & Observer, the FBI ordered the North Carolina Highway Patrol to produce all records involving private air travel for Easley and his family. The newspaper reported that Easley may have violated federal campaign laws when he "turned a small group of influential North Carolina businessmen into his own private air service, an arrangement Easley kept secret." The FBI issued a subpoena to the patrol Friday May 15, 2009, as part of a grand jury investigation. The subpoena said the grand jury would meet May 20 and 21 in Raleigh. The subpoena seeks information about the private travels of Easley, his wife Mary Easley, and their son Michael Easley Jr. on privately owned, non-commercial aircraft. It also requests documents involving payments made for such
travel. The subpoena also seeks information on communications with the Easleys about those private flights, public inquiries of the flights and the patrol's policies on the retention of records related to the Easleys' flights.
The News & Observer reported that Easley later appointed many of his flight benefactors to influential boards and positions; North Carolina State University
board chairman McQueen Campbell often flew Easley in his planes and bragged of his influence. The governor appointed Campbell twice to the N.C. State board.
UNC System President Erskine Bowles
said Campbell told him he had mentioned to N.C. State's chancellor that Mary Easley wanted to change jobs. Former first lady Mary Easley was hired by N.C. State to run a campus speaker series and a public safety center. Mary Easley received a three-year contract at $80,000 a year in 2005 and later got a five-year, $850,000 contract. The newspaper said Campbell had said he played no part in Mary Easley getting her job. Campbell and the Easleys have refused all interview requests, the newspaper said. N.C. State Provost Larry Nielsen resigned May 14, citing scrutiny of his role in hiring Mary Easley. Bowles said Campbell called him and "went through a whole mea culpa," the newspaper reported. "He said, 'I did tell (N.C. Chancellor) Jim Oblinger in passing that Mary Easley was going to change jobs and he may not even remember that.' And I said, 'What?' That was about the end of the conversation. I was surprised." Bowles said he suggested that Campbell quit his position to protect N.C. State's reputation. Bowles said Mary Easley has a contract, but her duties would "all be reviewed in the appropriate manner especially as we look at where we're going to place our budget going forward." He later suggested that Mary Easley resign her position. In June 2009, NC State fired Mary Easley from her position.
In June 2009, the office of North Carolina Attorney General
Roy Cooper
confirmed that Easley was under investigation by both the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
. Some urged Cooper to appoint a special prosecutor
to the case.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections opened hearings into Easley's conduct on Oct. 26, 2009.
to a violation of state campaign finance law. Easley took responsibility for his campaign's failure to report that he took a $1,600 helicopter ride with a supporter in October 2006. He was convicted of knowingly filing a false campaign report, becoming the first North Carolina governor to be convicted of a felony.
The helicopter flight records show that McQueen Campbell picked up Easley near a home he owns in Southport, North Carolina
on Oct. 23, 2006, and flew him to a campaign event in Whiteville, North Carolina
for Rex Gore, who was running for district attorney
.
Easley entered an Alford plea
on state campaign finance law charges, meaning he did not admit guilt but believed that the prosecution nonetheless had sufficient evidence to result in a conviction. He will pay a $1000 "community penalty." Neither prison time nor probation were possibilities for penalties under the plea. As part of the deal, federal officials ended their investigation.
, despite personally being involved in a crash at Lowe's Motor Speedway
near Concord, North Carolina
, in 2003. He was behind the wheel of Jimmie Johnson
's #48 Lowe's
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
, when it hit a retaining wall going 120 mph. He was not seriously hurt, since he was wearing a head-and-neck restraint
at the time.
Easley is also an avid amateur woodworker, and appeared on an episode of The Woodwright's Shop
where he made a walnut table.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, from 2001 to 2009. He is member of the North Carolina Democratic Party
North Carolina Democratic Party
The North Carolina Democratic Party is the North Carolina affiliate of the national Democratic Party in the United States. It is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are located in the historic Goodwin house which is located in the downtown area of Raleigh at 220 Hillsborough Street...
and became the first North Carolina governor to admit to a felony in a deal that halted a lengthy federal investigation. Easley is also North Carolina's second Catholic governor. Thomas Burke
Thomas Burke (governor)
Thomas Burke was an American physician, lawyer, and statesman from Hillsborough, North Carolina. He represented North Carolina as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was the third Governor of the state....
was the first, though Easley is the first elected by popular vote.
Early life and education
Easley was raised a Roman Catholic in otherwise overwhelmingly Protestant Nash County, North CarolinaNash County, North Carolina
Nash County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2000, the population was 87,420. Its county seat is Nashville.- History :...
. His father, Alexander Easley, owned one of the two big tobacco warehouses in the area. Easley earned a degree with Latin honors in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in 1972. While at UNC he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Gamma Delta
The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
Fraternity. He then attended the North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels....
School of Law, earning his J.D. degree, with Latin honors, in 1976.
Family
Easley is married to Mary Easley (née Pipines), who worked in the Provost's Office at North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
until June 8, 2009, when her contract was terminated by the NC State Board of Trustees. She is a former law professor at North Carolina Central University and also worked for ten years as a prosecutor. The two have one son, Michael Easley, Jr.
Career
Easley was elected District AttorneyDistrict attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
, one of the youngest ever in the state, in 1982.
A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, Easley ran unsuccessfully in that party's 1990 primary for the U.S. Senate; he lost to former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt
Harvey Gantt
Harvey Bernard Gantt is an American architect and Democratic politician active in North Carolina. He was Mayor of Charlotte from 1983 to 1987, and ran twice for the United States Senate....
, who himself lost to incumbent Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
. Easley was elected North Carolina Attorney General
North Carolina attorney general
The Attorney General of North Carolina is the head of the state's Department of Justice and provides legal representation and advice to all state agencies. He or she does not have the authority to prosecute specific crimes unless requested to do so by a local district attorney...
in 1992. He won reelection in 1996. In the 1996 election for Attorney General, Easley garnered 59.07% of the vote, compared with opponent Robert H. Edmonds, Jr.'s 40.93% of votes. This represented a margin of victory of 446,169 votes. In the 1996 election,
In 2000, Easley ran to succeed the term-limited Hunt as Governor of North Carolina
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
. He defeated incumbent Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina is the second highest elected official in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is the only elected official to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government...
Dennis A. Wicker
Dennis A. Wicker
Dennis A. Wicker is a North Carolina lawyer and politician from Sanford who served as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives , and as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina...
in the Democratic primary, and then successfully challenged Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Richard Vinroot
Richard Vinroot
Richard A. Vinroot is a Republican political figure and attorney from Charlotte, North Carolina. He served as the 52nd Mayor of the City of Charlotte from 1991–1995, and ran unsuccessfully for Governor of North Carolina in 1996, 2000, and 2004.-Early life:The son of a Swedish immigrant, Richard...
, former mayor of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, in the general election. Easley was reelected in 2004
North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2004
The North Carolina gubernatorial election of 2004 was held on 2 November 2004. The general election was fought between the and the Democrat incumbent Mike Easley and the Republican nominee Patrick J. Ballantine. Easley won by 52% to 46%, winning his second term as...
, running against New Hanover County
New Hanover County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 160,307 people, 68,183 households, and 41,591 families residing in the county. The population density was 806 people per square mile . There were 79,616 housing units at an average density of 400 per square mile...
state senator Patrick Ballantine.
Governorship
In the closing weeks of the 2000 gubernatorial race, actor Andy GriffithAndy Griffith
Andy Samuel Griffith is an American actor, director, producer, Grammy Award-winning Southern-gospel singer, and writer. He gained prominence in the starring role in director Elia Kazan's epic film A Face in the Crowd before he became better known for his television roles, playing the lead...
filmed an ad endorsing Easley, which some observers believe led to Easley's victory, called the "Mayberry Miracle."
Education reform
Education reform
Education reform is the process of improving public education. Small improvements in education theoretically have large social returns, in health, wealth and well-being. Historically, reforms have taken different forms because the motivations of reformers have differed.A continuing motivation has...
was a centerpiece of Easley's tenure as Governor, to such an extent that in 2008, Easley received the inaugural "America's Greatest Education Governor" award from the National Education Association
National Education Association
The National Education Association is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become...
. The award was created to showcase "public officials who have demonstrated exemplary achievements and accomplishments in advancing public education." Easley was commended by the NEA for his focus on improving teacher working conditions and for affording teachers a "seat at the table" in discussions surrounding the implementation of education reforms in the state.
One of Easley's major programs was More at Four, an innovative academic pre-kindergarten for at-risk children. More at Four has received extensive praise from groups such as the National Education Association
National Education Association
The National Education Association is the largest professional organization and largest labor union in the United States, representing public school teachers and other support personnel, faculty and staffers at colleges and universities, retired educators, and college students preparing to become...
. Another signature program of Easley's was the award-winning "Learn and Earn" initiative, which enabled North Carolina high school students to earn college credit by taking online courses at no cost to them or to their families. The "Learn and Earn" program received the Innovations in American Government Award from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's Kennedy School of Government. Presenting the award, Harvard noted that in "2006-2007, rates of grade promotion and graduation for Learn and Earn participants were higher than the statewide average, with nearly half the Learn and Earn high schools seeing 100 percent promotion rates." Harvard also observed that these numbers have not "been skewed by "creaming." The program purposely targets kids at risk, those for whom English is a second language[,] and those who would be first-generation college students." Easley also initiated a program to enable North Carolina students to attain a debt-free undergraduate education by receiving EARN Grants of up to $8,000 over two years. In 2007, Easley wrote and published a children's book, "Look Out College, Here I Come," the proceeds of which fund a North Carolina education charity.
His tenure faced budget shortfalls, tough economic times, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
s. Easley received mixed reviews on his handling of fiscal
Fiscal policy
In economics and political science, fiscal policy is the use of government expenditure and revenue collection to influence the economy....
problems in the state. His supporters claimed many of the budget shortfall situations were created before he even took office, during the Hunt administration, while his detractors criticized his support of raising sales taxes multiple times to cover the cost of new state programs.
During his administration, Easley was not afraid to confront the state legislature
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
. Easley is the first North Carolina governor to use the power of veto
Veto override
A veto override is an action by legislators and decision-makers to override an act of veto by someone with such powers - thus forcing through a new decision. The power to override a veto varies greatly in tandem with the veto power itself. The U.S constitution gives a 2/3 majority Congress the...
, which voters gave the governor's office in 1996. First, in November 2002, Easley vetoed legislation related to unqualified appointments to various boards and commissions. In June 2003, he vetoed a bill that stripped the State Board of Education of its authority to set teacher standards. In August 2003, he vetoed HB 917 which raised fees charged by finance companies. In July 2004, he vetoed HB 429 which would have required local governments to make cash payments to billboard owners of up to five times the annual revenue generated by the billboard upon its removal. In March 2005, he vetoed SB 130 which would have conveyed state property. In Sept. 2005, he vetoed HB 706 which would have affected teacher standards. In August 2007 he vetoed HB 1761, a controversial financial incentives bill which would have awarded up to forty million dollars to companies within the state. Easley has used his veto power a total of nine times as of 2008. His ninth veto was the first to be overridden
Veto override
A veto override is an action by legislators and decision-makers to override an act of veto by someone with such powers - thus forcing through a new decision. The power to override a veto varies greatly in tandem with the veto power itself. The U.S constitution gives a 2/3 majority Congress the...
by the legislature in North Carolina history.
Easley ran for a second term as governor in 2004. He easily defeated Rickey Kipfer, his only opponent in the Democratic primary, and faced Republican former state senator Patrick Ballantine and Libertarian Barbara Howe
Barbara Howe
Barbara Howe is the chair of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina and is a two-time Gubernatorial candidate. In 2000 Howe ran as the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of North Carolina receiving 42,674 vote for 1.45% of the vote. In 2004 Howe made a second run for Governor receiving...
in November 2004. Though the state voted for Republicans George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
for president
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and Richard Burr
Richard Burr
Richard Mauze Burr is the senior United States Senator from North Carolina and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Burr represented North Carolina's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives....
as United States Senator, Easley won his second term as governor and Democrats reestablished control over both chambers of the state legislature (the House had been split equally between the two major parties since 2003).
Easley supported a controversial state-wide lottery
North Carolina Education Lottery
The North Carolina Education Lottery is run by the government of North Carolina. It was established after Gov. Mike Easley signed the North Carolina State Lottery Act and the 2005 Appropriations Act....
, which was ultimately approved on August 31, 2005 after Lieutenant Governor Bev Perdue
Bev Perdue
Beverly Eaves "Bev" Perdue is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party currently serving as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina. She is the first female governor of North Carolina....
cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. He has stated that proceeds from the lottery will be used for much-needed educational programs.
Easley presided over 27 executions, including the 1000th after the death penalty was reintroduced in the United States
Capital punishment in the United States
Capital punishment in the United States, in practice, applies only for aggravated murder and more rarely for felony murder. Capital punishment was a penalty at common law, for many felonies, and was enforced in all of the American colonies prior to the Declaration of Independence...
in 1976. He, however, granted commutation to two death row inmates. The North Carolina governor has the sole right to commute death sentences imposed by a state court.
Easley declined to run against Elizabeth Dole
Elizabeth Dole
Mary Elizabeth Alexander Hanford "Liddy" Dole is an American politician who served in both the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush presidential administrations, as well as a United States Senator....
for her Senate seat in 2008. He was considered to be a possible candidate for U.S. Senate to run against Sen. Richard Burr
Richard Burr
Richard Mauze Burr is the senior United States Senator from North Carolina and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Burr represented North Carolina's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives....
in 2010, but he had strongly denied interest in the race. The Raleigh News & Observer speculated in October 2006 that Easley was going to act like a presidential contender in order to position himself for the vice presidential nomination or a Cabinet post.
In 2008, in a case that drew international attention, a North Carolina state trooper was filmed hanging and kicking a police dog he was training. After the trooper's superiors recommended minor punishment, Easley's office recommended that the trooper be fired. The case is ongoing, with the state's canine units currently suspended.
As Governor, Easley was a member of the National Governors Association
National Governors Association
The National Governors Association , founded in 1908 as the National Governors' Conference, is funded primarily by state dues, federal grants and contracts and private contributions. NGA represents the governors of the fifty U.S. states and five U.S. territories The National Governors Association...
, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Democratic Governors Association
Democratic Governors Association
The Democratic Governors Association is a Washington, D.C. based 527 organization founded in 1983, consisting of U.S. state and territorial governors affiliated with the Democratic Party. The mission of the organization is to provide party support to the election and re-election of Democratic...
. However, he was known for being "reclusive" while in office.
He was succeeded as governor by his Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
The Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina is the second highest elected official in the U.S. state of North Carolina and is the only elected official to have powers in both the legislative and executive branches of state government...
, Bev Perdue
Bev Perdue
Beverly Eaves "Bev" Perdue is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party currently serving as the 73rd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina. She is the first female governor of North Carolina....
, who defeated Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory in a close race
North Carolina gubernatorial election, 2008
The North Carolina gubernatorial election of 2008 was held on November 4, 2008, coinciding with the presidential, U.S. Senate, U.S. House elections, Council of State, and statewide judicial elections...
. After leaving office, Easley went to work part-time promoting early college high schools and similar programs for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Political positions
Easley is somewhat more conservative than the Democratic leadership on some issues. For example, he supports some restrictions on abortionAbortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
s, advocates welfare reform
Welfare reform
Welfare reform refers to the process of reforming the framework of social security and welfare provisions, but what is considered reform is a matter of opinion. The term was used in the United States to support the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act...
, is against gun control
Gun control
Gun control is any law, policy, practice, or proposal designed to restrict or limit the possession, production, importation, shipment, sale, and/or use of guns or other firearms by private citizens...
, and is receptive to free trade
Free trade
Under a free trade policy, prices emerge from supply and demand, and are the sole determinant of resource allocation. 'Free' trade differs from other forms of trade policy where the allocation of goods and services among trading countries are determined by price strategies that may differ from...
issues. However, he is closer to the Democratic base on other issues. He supports the enactment of the Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Rights Amendment
The Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution. The ERA was originally written by Alice Paul and, in 1923, it was introduced in the Congress for the first time...
, upholding Social Security
Social Security (United States)
In the United States, Social Security refers to the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.The original Social Security Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare and social insurance programs...
, increasing public healthcare funding for the poor and children, and providing services to illegal immigrants.
During the 2004 Democratic primaries
Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2004
The 2004 Democratic presidential primaries were the selection process by which voters of the Democratic Party chose its nominee for President of the United States in the 2004 U.S. presidential election...
, he supported North Carolina Senator John Edwards
John Edwards
Johnny Reid "John" Edwards is an American politician, who served as a U.S. Senator from North Carolina. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2004, and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008.He defeated incumbent Republican Lauch Faircloth in...
.
In the 2008 campaigns, Easley initially endorsed the presidential candidacy of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is the 67th United States Secretary of State, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama. She was a United States Senator for New York from 2001 to 2009. As the wife of the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, she was the First Lady of the...
on April 28, 2008. After Senator Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
won the Democratic nomination, Easley endorsed him against Republican nominee John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
.
Controversies and Federal Investigation
Easley has been beset by controversies since 2006, which led to a decline in his popularity and public outrage. Easley has defended the use of taxpayer dollars for his and his wife Mary's trips overseas. Mary Easley took two trips out of the country, one to FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and one to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, for cultural exchanges at a cost of $109,000 for nine people, including $27,000 for rental of a Mercedes and almost $9,000 in hotel and Monet tour costs, months after the North Carolina Museum of Art
North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art is an art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina, featuring paintings and sculpture representing 5,000 years of artistic work from antiquity to the present. The museum features more than 40 galleries as well as more than a dozen works of art in its Museum Park...
's Monet exhibit had ended. A separate trip to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in April 2008 taken jointly by the Easleys resulted in more than $100,000 in charges to taxpayers, including $51,640 for a Mercedes
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
and a chauffeur
Chauffeur
A chauffeur is a person employed to drive a passenger motor vehicle, especially a luxury vehicle such as a large sedan or limousine.Originally such drivers were always personal servants of the vehicle owner, but now in many cases specialist chauffeur service companies, or individual drivers provide...
. Easley noted that the taxis in Rome were Mercedes vehicles, not Ford Crown Victorias, as in America. Republican critics called the trips overly lavish in a time of economic downturn for the state.
Although the director of the North Carolina Museum of Art
North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art is an art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina, featuring paintings and sculpture representing 5,000 years of artistic work from antiquity to the present. The museum features more than 40 galleries as well as more than a dozen works of art in its Museum Park...
defended Mary Easley's trips as having helped the museum receive loaned art items from The Hermitage
Hermitage Museum
The State Hermitage is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. One of the largest and oldest museums of the world, it was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great and has been opened to the public since 1852. Its collections, of which only a small part is on permanent display,...
in St. Petersburg, the Raleigh News and Observer noted that no results of the trips were yet evident as of July 2008. State auditor Les Merritt
Les Merritt
Leslie Merritt is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of North Carolina and a former North Carolina State Auditor, a position to which he was elected in 2004. Merritt was defeated by Democratic Beth Wood in the North Carolina Council of State elections, 2008 as part of a Democratic sweep....
released a report October 31, 2008 that found that 40% of the overseas charges were "unreasonable or unallowable." Mary Easley hired state Senator Tony Rand
Tony Rand
Anthony E. "Tony" Rand is an attorney and former Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly who represented the state's nineteenth Senate district from his appointment in 1981 until he unsuccessfully ran for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 1988, and from 1995 until his...
as her lawyer in dealing with the state auditor. Mrs. Easley's efforts also resulted in the North Carolina Museum of Art
North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art is an art museum in Raleigh, North Carolina, featuring paintings and sculpture representing 5,000 years of artistic work from antiquity to the present. The museum features more than 40 galleries as well as more than a dozen works of art in its Museum Park...
's obtaining a collection of Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin
François-Auguste-René Rodin , known as Auguste Rodin , was a French sculptor. Although Rodin is generally considered the progenitor of modern sculpture, he did not set out to rebel against the past...
's work valued at $35,000,000, and in the construction of a new Greek Art wing for the museum.
Merritt found that the $27,000, on-call chauffeured SUV often followed Mary Easley's tour bus through the countryside rather than serving as her transportation. In Russia, hundreds of dollars were charged to the state for both caviar
Caviar
Caviar, sometimes called black caviar, is a luxury delicacy, consisting of processed, salted, non-fertilized sturgeon roe. The roe can be "fresh" or pasteurized, the latter having much less culinary and economic value....
and alcohol purchases. $45,000 in private funds from the NC Art Museum's foundation were used to reimburse the state following the auditor's finding.
News reports of Mary Easley receiving an 88% annual pay raise for her job as executive-in-residence at North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
in the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina
Chartered in 1789, the University of North Carolina was one of the first public universities in the United States and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century...
system also did not help Easley's popularity with voters. Merritt's audit, however, has been criticized as being "partisan and lack[ing in] credibility."
The pay increase violated a university system policy in which large pay increases must have prior approval, and NC State University ruled that one-third of Mary Easley's salary must be paid with private funds.
Easley also garnered controversy during the 2006 Duke University lacrosse case. He appointed Mike Nifong on the condition that he not run for election for District Attorney. Nifong was later elected before being disgraced and disbarred. Easley, however, did not make any effort to remove Nifong until openly criticizing him, and only well after ethics complaints had been launched.
More controversy surfaced months after Easley left office in January 2009. According to Raleigh's News & Observer, the FBI ordered the North Carolina Highway Patrol to produce all records involving private air travel for Easley and his family. The newspaper reported that Easley may have violated federal campaign laws when he "turned a small group of influential North Carolina businessmen into his own private air service, an arrangement Easley kept secret." The FBI issued a subpoena to the patrol Friday May 15, 2009, as part of a grand jury investigation. The subpoena said the grand jury would meet May 20 and 21 in Raleigh. The subpoena seeks information about the private travels of Easley, his wife Mary Easley, and their son Michael Easley Jr. on privately owned, non-commercial aircraft. It also requests documents involving payments made for such
travel. The subpoena also seeks information on communications with the Easleys about those private flights, public inquiries of the flights and the patrol's policies on the retention of records related to the Easleys' flights.
The News & Observer reported that Easley later appointed many of his flight benefactors to influential boards and positions; North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
board chairman McQueen Campbell often flew Easley in his planes and bragged of his influence. The governor appointed Campbell twice to the N.C. State board.
UNC System President Erskine Bowles
Erskine Bowles
Erskine Boyce Bowles is an American businessman and political figure from North Carolina. He served from 2005 to 2010 as the President of the University of North Carolina system...
said Campbell told him he had mentioned to N.C. State's chancellor that Mary Easley wanted to change jobs. Former first lady Mary Easley was hired by N.C. State to run a campus speaker series and a public safety center. Mary Easley received a three-year contract at $80,000 a year in 2005 and later got a five-year, $850,000 contract. The newspaper said Campbell had said he played no part in Mary Easley getting her job. Campbell and the Easleys have refused all interview requests, the newspaper said. N.C. State Provost Larry Nielsen resigned May 14, citing scrutiny of his role in hiring Mary Easley. Bowles said Campbell called him and "went through a whole mea culpa," the newspaper reported. "He said, 'I did tell (N.C. Chancellor) Jim Oblinger in passing that Mary Easley was going to change jobs and he may not even remember that.' And I said, 'What?' That was about the end of the conversation. I was surprised." Bowles said he suggested that Campbell quit his position to protect N.C. State's reputation. Bowles said Mary Easley has a contract, but her duties would "all be reviewed in the appropriate manner especially as we look at where we're going to place our budget going forward." He later suggested that Mary Easley resign her position. In June 2009, NC State fired Mary Easley from her position.
In June 2009, the office of North Carolina Attorney General
North Carolina attorney general
The Attorney General of North Carolina is the head of the state's Department of Justice and provides legal representation and advice to all state agencies. He or she does not have the authority to prosecute specific crimes unless requested to do so by a local district attorney...
Roy Cooper
Roy A. Cooper
Roy Asberry Cooper, III is the current North Carolina Attorney General. He is a member of the North Carolina Democratic Party.-Personal life and education:...
confirmed that Easley was under investigation by both the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is a state-level law enforcement agency in North Carolina. Within the state, the agency acts as a criminal investigation bureau, similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the federal level. The SBI is a bureau of the North Carolina...
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
. Some urged Cooper to appoint a special prosecutor
Special prosecutor
A special prosecutor generally is a lawyer from outside the government appointed by an attorney general or, in the United States, by Congress to investigate a government official for misconduct while in office. A reasoning for such an appointment is that the governmental branch or agency may have...
to the case.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections opened hearings into Easley's conduct on Oct. 26, 2009.
Felony Conviction
Following a two year federal and state investigation into campaign finance irregularities, Easley entered an Alford pleaAlford plea
An Alford plea in United States law is a guilty plea in criminal court, where the defendant does not admit the act and asserts innocence...
to a violation of state campaign finance law. Easley took responsibility for his campaign's failure to report that he took a $1,600 helicopter ride with a supporter in October 2006. He was convicted of knowingly filing a false campaign report, becoming the first North Carolina governor to be convicted of a felony.
The helicopter flight records show that McQueen Campbell picked up Easley near a home he owns in Southport, North Carolina
Southport, North Carolina
Southport is a city in Brunswick County, North Carolina, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It is part of the Wilmington Metropolitan Statistical Area...
on Oct. 23, 2006, and flew him to a campaign event in Whiteville, North Carolina
Whiteville, North Carolina
Whiteville is a city in Columbus County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 5,148 at the 2000 census. It is the only city of Columbus County and is the county seat....
for Rex Gore, who was running for district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
.
Easley entered an Alford plea
Alford plea
An Alford plea in United States law is a guilty plea in criminal court, where the defendant does not admit the act and asserts innocence...
on state campaign finance law charges, meaning he did not admit guilt but believed that the prosecution nonetheless had sufficient evidence to result in a conviction. He will pay a $1000 "community penalty." Neither prison time nor probation were possibilities for penalties under the plea. As part of the deal, federal officials ended their investigation.
Personal life
Easley is a huge fan of NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, despite personally being involved in a crash at Lowe's Motor Speedway
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
near Concord, North Carolina
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
, in 2003. He was behind the wheel of Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
's #48 Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was an American-made two-door coupe introduced for model year 1970, and manufactured over six generations through model year 2007. It was marketed as a personal-luxury coupe through most of its history, with the last model version being classified as a full-sized coupe...
, when it hit a retaining wall going 120 mph. He was not seriously hurt, since he was wearing a head-and-neck restraint
HANS device
The HANS device is a safety item compulsory in many car racing sports...
at the time.
Easley is also an avid amateur woodworker, and appeared on an episode of The Woodwright's Shop
The Woodwright's Shop
The Woodwright's Shop is a traditional woodworking show hosted by Roy Underhill on the Public Broadcasting Service in the United States. It is one of the longest running "how to" shows on PBS, with thirty-two 13-episode seasons filmed. Since its debut in 1979, the show has aired over 400 episodes...
where he made a walnut table.
Electoral history
External links
- Office of the Governor, State of North Carolina official state site
- Mike Easley, Governor official campaign site
- Raleigh News & Observer biography