Mike Easley
Mike Easley | |
---|---|
Attorney General of North Carolina | |
In office January 9, 1993 – January 6, 2001 | |
Governor | Jim Hunt |
Preceded by | Lacy Thornburg |
Succeeded by | Roy Cooper |
Personal details | |
Born | Michael Francis Easley March 23, 1950 Rocky Mount, North Carolina, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | |
Children | Michael F. Easley Jr. |
Residence | Charlotte, North Carolina |
Alma mater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA) North Carolina Central University (JD) |
Profession | Lawyer |
Signature | |
Michael Francis Easley (born March 23, 1950) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the
governor of North Carolina to have been convicted of a felony.[3] The conviction was later expunged by the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Wake County. [4] A member of theEarly life and education
Mike Easley was born on March 23, 1950, in
Family
Easley is married to Mary Easley (née Pipines), who worked in the Provost's Office at North Carolina State University until June 8, 2009. 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 F. Easley Jr.
Career
Easley became an assistant district attorney for the 13th Judicial District in 1976.
A
In 2000, Easley ran to succeed the term-limited Hunt as
Governorship
In the closing weeks of the 2000 gubernatorial race, actor Andy Griffith filmed an ad endorsing Easley, which some observers believe led to Easley's victory, called the "Mayberry Miracle".[12]
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".[13] Easley was commended by the NEA for his focus on improving teacher working conditions[14] and for affording teachers a "seat at the table" in discussions surrounding the implementation of education reforms in the state.[13]
One of Easley's major programs was More at Four, an academic
Another signature program[citation needed] of Easley's was the "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.[13] The "Learn and Earn" program received the Innovations in American Government Award from Harvard Kennedy School. 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" that is counting of only high scoring children. The program purposely targets kids at risk, those for whom English is a second language[,] and those who would be first-generation college students."[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]
His tenure faced budget shortfalls, tough economic times, and natural disasters such as
Easley ran for a second term as governor in 2004. He defeated
He also supported a controversial statewide lottery, which was ultimately approved on August 31, 2005, after Lieutenant Governor Bev Perdue cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate.[20] He has stated that proceeds from the lottery will be used for much-needed educational programs.[citation needed] Easley presided over 27 executions, including the 1,000th after the
The North Carolina governor has the sole right to commute death sentences imposed by a state court.Governor Easley declined to run against Elizabeth Dole for her Senate seat in 2008.[22] He was considered to be a possible candidate for U.S. Senate to run against Senator 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.[23]
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.[24] The case is ongoing, with the state's canine units currently suspended.[24]
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.[25]
He was succeeded as governor by his
Political positions
During the
In the 2008 campaigns, Easley initially endorsed the presidential candidacy of Senator Hillary Clinton on April 28, 2008. After Senator Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination, Easley endorsed him against Republican nominee John McCain.[27]
Controversies and campaign finance lawsuit
Easley was faced with controversies in 2006 stemming from campaign and overseas travel.
More controversy surfaced months after Easley left office in January 2009. According to Raleigh's News & Observer, the
The North Carolina State Board of Elections opened hearings into Easley's conduct on October 26, 2009.[33]
Following a two-year federal and state investigation into campaign finance irregularities, Easley entered an Alford plea to a single felony violation of state campaign finance law, accepting responsibility for his campaign's failure to report that he took a $1,600 helicopter ride with a supporter in October 2006. While Easley did not admit guilt, he "acknowledged there was sufficient evidence to convict him of a crime."[34] He pled guilty by entering an Alford plea to a single state campaign finance violation. He paid a $1,000 "community penalty."[35] He became the first [1] [2] governor of North Carolina to have been convicted of a felony.[36] Federal officials ended their investigation because of the plea.[34] Following the conviction, Easley's law license was suspended but formally restored on appeal in January 2013.[1] On January 4, 2013, the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for Wake County granted Easley a Certificate of relief from disabilities.[37] The conviction was later expunged by the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Wake County. [38]
Current activities
Easley is a practicing attorney in North Carolina. He represents businesses and corporations and has been involved in several significant civil trials. Politically, in 2018, he joined former North Carolina Governors in successfully opposing state constitutional amendments that would have weakened the powers of the governor.[39] He also joined in the filing of amicus briefs to oppose gerrymandered congressional and legislative districts in North Carolina.[40]
Personal life
Easley is a fan of
Easley is also an avid amateur woodworker, and appeared on an episode of The Woodwright's Shop where he made a walnut table.[45]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Easley | 1,530,858 | 62.96 | ||
Republican | Joe Dean | 900,573 | 37.04 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Easley | 1,453,196 | 59.07 | ||
Republican | Robert Edmunds Jr. | 1,007,027 | 40.93 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Easley | 1,492,170 | 52.4 | ||
Republican | Richard Vinroot | 1,335,862 | 44.2 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Easley (Incumbent) | 1,939,154 | 56.4 | +4.0 | |
Republican | Patrick Ballantine
|
1,495,021 | 43.2 |
References
- ^ a b c Blythe, Anne (February 4, 2013). "North Carolina Bar reinstates Mike Easley's law license". Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ^ a b Halloran, Liz (January 22, 2014). "Governors Gone Wild: A Recent History". NPR.org. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ^ "State of North Carolina v. Michael F. Easley" (PDF). ABC11.com. November 23, 2010. pp. 1–4, 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ^ https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/state/2022/11/29/former-n-c-governor-mike-easley-leans-on-southport-as-a-safe-haven/69610730007/
- Thomas Burke was the first Catholic governor of North Carolina; see Weeks, Church and State in North Carolina, Ch. V; CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: North Carolina. Easley was the first elected by popular vote.
- ^ a b c d "Easley, Michael Francis (From Research Branch, NC OA&H) | NCpedia".
- ^ a b Marcus 1994, p. 197.
- ^ "North Carolina manual [serial]". 1916.
- ^ National Governors Association Archived 2011-06-28 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Richardson, Jason (January 11, 1993). "Council of State officials accept responsibilities during ceremony". The Daily Tar Heel. Vol. 100, no. 121. pp. 5, 11.
- ^ "Attorney General". Archived from the original on November 26, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2010.
- ^ "Perdue tries to whistle up a Mayberry miracle". Raleigh News and Observer. October 28, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ a b c d "NEA - NEA Honors N.C. Gov. Easley for His Support of Public Education". Archived from the original on July 4, 2011.
- ^ "New Teacher Center Teaching & Working Conditions Survey". Archived from the original on January 16, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- ^ "Harvard Kennedy School - Innovations in American Government Finalists Announced by Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Institute". Archived from the original on November 27, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- ^ "NC Learn and Earn - EARN Grants". Archived from the original on February 28, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- ^ "NEA Professional Library". Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved January 2, 2011.
- ^ News & Observer: Easley's Nine Vetoes Archived 2014-03-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ News & Observer: House overrides boat veto Archived 2009-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
- Independent Weekly. October 15, 2008. Archived from the originalon November 23, 2008. Retrieved November 25, 2008.
- ^ Clemency[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Is the Southern Strategy Dead?". American Prospect. October 24, 2008. Archived from the original on August 10, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
- ^ Newsobserver.com[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Kicked Dog Turns Up in Trooper's Yard". Raleigh News and Observer. October 31, 2008. Archived from the original on November 3, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- News & Observer. June 27, 2009. Archived from the originalon October 2, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
- ^ News & Observer: Easley has a new job Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ News & Observer: Easley endorses Obama Archived 2012-04-01 at the Wayback Machine
- News and Observer. October 31, 2008. Archived from the originalon November 3, 2008. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
- ^ a b "Easley defends cost of overseas travel". WRAL-TV. June 30, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
- ^ Reynolds, Christopher. "Rodin Sculptures Highlight Reopening of North Carolina Museum of Art". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2010.
- ^ Iovine, Julie V. (June 30, 2010). "Easily Accessible Pleasures". The Wall Street Journal.
- News & Observer. May 9, 2009. Archived from the originalon August 31, 2009. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
- ^ News & Observer: Easley hearing to bare politics Archived 2009-10-27 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ News & Observer. Archived from the originalon November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
- ^ Curliss, J Andrew; Blythe, Anne (November 24, 2010). "Easley enters plea to felony campaign finance charge". newsobserver.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
- ^ "State of North Carolina v. Michael F. Easley" (PDF). ABC11.com. November 23, 2010. pp. 1–4, 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- ^ "Wake County Clerk of Superior Court". Archived from the original on July 19, 2001.
- ^ https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/state/2022/11/29/former-n-c-governor-mike-easley-leans-on-southport-as-a-safe-haven/69610730007/
- ^ "NC governors campaign against constitutional amendments". News & Observer.
- ^ "Bipartisan group of former governors calls on court to 'root out' partisan gerrymandering". The Progressive Pulse. August 7, 2019.
- ^ "N.C. governor not hurt in crash at Lowe's Motor Speedway". USA Today. May 9, 2003. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
- ^ [1] Archived September 5, 2008, at archive.today
- ^ "Easley as Boomhauer". June 27, 2005.
- ^ "Would Hank Hill like Donald Trump?". November 16, 2018.
- ^ Beckwith, Ryan Teague (March 24, 2009). "Easley's Handmade Table Goes for $3,400". Under the Dome. The News & Observer.
The two-term Democrat, who left office earlier this year, had made the simple walnut table on a special episode of "The Woodwright's Shop" in 2007.
[permanent dead link]
Works cited
- Marcus, Lisa A., ed. (1994). North Carolina Manual 1993–1994 (PDF). Raleigh: North Carolina Secretary of State. OCLC 244121350.
External links
- Raleigh News & Observer biography
- Follow the Money - Mike Easley
- Appearances on C-SPAN