In the first installment of the three-part series Biographical Conversations with…Jim Holshouser, join this prolific policymaker as he shares candid recollections from his childhood in the North Carolina mountains, remembrances of serving in the state legislature and his work to reform the state’s higher education system.

Born in 1934 to Virginia Dayvault Holshouser, a nurse, and James Holshouser, a U.S. District Attorney, James Eubert Holshouser Jr. grew up in Boone, NC. Holshouser was born into a family of what he later describes as “Lincoln Republicans,” as were most people from the mountainous regions of North Carolina.

As a child, James battled numerous health problems including asthma and bouts of pneumonia and was often sidelined by illness that prevented him from participating in sports that he loved. Holshouser attends public schools in Boone, NC.

Holshouser graduated from Appalachian High School in Boone, NC, in June 1952. He was senior class president, vice-president of the National Honors Society, played baseball, was sports editor of school newspaper, senior editor of Annual, played trombone in All-State band, and the orchestra and sang in the chorus.

After graduating from Davidson College, Holshouser went on to attend law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During his tenure at UNC that he serves as class president and develops an interest in politics, particularly in the area of judicial reform. He frequently attended sessions of the state legislature while a student at UNC.

After graduating from law school in 1960, he returned to Watauga County to practice law with his father. Holshouser became actively involved in community improvement organizations by serving as county chairman of the Heart Fund, the United Fund Board of Directors, the advisory board of the Regional Mental Health Authority, the board of directors of the Southern Appalachian Historical Association, and the Mountain Scenic Economic Development Commission. In 1961, Holshouser married Patricia Ann Hollingsworth.

Motivated by an interest in reforming the state’s judicial nomination system, he ran for the state Legislature and won a seat in 1962. Elected to the N.C. House of Representatives in a small but growing Republican Party, he ran on a platform to expedite application of the new court reform law, reduce taxes and establish an automobile inspection plan.

While a member of the legislature, he fought for consumer legislation and improvements in the state’s higher education system. Representative Holshouser quickly rose to positions of leadership, eventually becoming the youngest state party chairman at the age of 32.

Part 1: Early Life and Political Career: Issues & Video