John Odom

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on March 12, 2008 - 5:19pm.
Tags:

Office District Status
Insurance Comm. Statewide Candidate
Party In Office Since Term Ends
Republican
Level of Government  
 
Date of Birth Birthplace Now Lives In
December 13, 1946 Bennettsville, SC Raleigh, NC

Synopsis

John Odom is still looking for a second act. The longtime Raleigh City Council member, known for his affable and easygoing style, lost a 2003 bid for mayor against popular incumbent Charles Meeker. He lost a bid for an at-large seat on the City Council in 2005. In 2008, he filed to run for state insurance commissioner as a Republican. He faces either Democrat Wayne Goodwin or David C. Smith on the November ballot. 

Endorsements

Biography

Marital Status
Married
Spouse
Linda
Children
Son, Robert; daughter, Lee Ann

John Odom is a Republican candidate for state insurance commissioner.

Early Life and Education

John Odom was born Dec. 13, 1946, in Bennettsville, S.C. to Mary H. and Dusty Odom. His mother served as a state representative in North Carolina.

He attended Oak Ridge Military College from 1965 to 1966, and the Richmond Technical Insitute from 1969 to 1971.

Military Service

He served in the U.S. military from 1967 to 1969. 

Professional Career

He is the executive director of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association and the owner of three Meineke Discount Mufflers shops.

Political Career

In 1993, Odom was first elected to the Raleigh City Council in District B, which covers the northeastern part of the city. 

In 1995, he switched from being a Democrat to a Republican. 

Odom served for five terms, including stints as deputy mayor and mayor pro-tem. In those positions, he was known for having an easygoing manner and willingness to work with other members of the City Council. 

In 2003, he ran for mayor against incumbent Charles Meeker. Though the position is nonpartisan, Odom was widely understood to be the Republican candidate against Meeker, a Democrat.

Meeker beat Odom in a landslide, with 59 percent to his 41 percent. 

In 2005, Odom ran for one of two at-large positions on the City Council, coming in third to Joyce Kekas and Russ Stephenson.

Insurance Commissioner '08 

In 2008, he filed to run as a Republican for insurance commissioner.

He faces either deputy insurance commissioner Wayne Goodwin or David C. Smith, both Democrats, on the November ballot.

Occupation





Community Involvement:
Not specified.

Contact Info



Education



Military

Not specified.

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