Jim Long

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on September 13, 2007 - 8:33am.
Tags:

Office District Status
Insurance Comm. Statewide Former
Party In Office Since Term Ends
Democrat 1984 2008
Level of Government  
Council of State  
Date of Birth Birthplace Now Lives In
March 19, 1940 Burlington, NC Raleigh, NC

Synopsis

Jim Long comes from a politically active family in Alamance County. Like his father and grandfather, he served in the state House of Representatives. He also served as legal counsel to the Speaker of the House and Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Insurance. In 1986, he as elected insurance commissioner, and he has served six terms in that office. In 2008, he announced he would retire at the end of his term, passing the torch to assistant Wayne Goodwin, now the Democratic nominee.

Trivia

Like his father, Long always wears a red tie.  

Endorsements

Biography

Marital Status
Married
Spouse
Peg O'Connell
Children
Son, James; and daughter, Rebecca Ann

Jim Long is the former longtime state insurance commissioner.

Early Life and Education 

James Eugene Long was born on March 19, 1940, in Burlington, N.C., to Helen Brooks and George Attmore Long. 

His family was politically active, with his grandfather and his father serving in the state House of Representatives. During a Democratic rally in 1946, his father walked in late and was recognized by Gov. Melville Broughton, who pointed out his red tie. Afterward, his father never wore anything but solid red ties until his death in 1999.

Long graduated from Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington in 1958.

He attended N.C. State University from 1958 to 1962. He then transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned a bachelor of arts.

He earned a law degree from UNC's law school in 1966.

Professional and Political Career 

After graduation, he worked as an attorney.

From 1971 to 1973, he served as a member of the state House of Representatives, representing Alamance County. He served again 1975 to 1976.

In 1985, he was elected insurance commissioner, serving six terms.

He is the longest serving insurance commissioner in North Carolina history and the longest currently serving member of the Council of State.

In 2008, he announced he would retire at the end of his term, passing the torch to assistant Wayne Goodwin, who won the November election.

After suffering a stroke while visiting a legislative building, Long died on Feb. 2, 2009.

Research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith.

Occupation

Commissioner
Department of Insurance
 State Fire Marshal
Department of Insurance



Community Involvement:
Not specified.

Contact Info

Department of Insurance
430 North Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603
919-733-3058



Education


N.C. State University
 juris doctorate
UNC-Chapel Hill

Military

Not specified.

Links




http://www.jimlong.org





N&O Profile:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_E._Long






You must be logged in to post a comment on this blog. If you already have an N&O online user account, click here to log in. Otherwise, click here to register (it's free!).