| Tony Gurley | |
| Office: | Chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners |
| Term Start: | 2006 |
| Term End: | 2010 |
| Predecessor: | Joe Bryan |
| Successor: | Paul Coble |
| Office1: | Member of the Wake County Board of Commissioners from the 3rd District |
| Term Start1: | 2002 |
| Term End1: | 2014 |
| Successor1: | Jessica Holmes |
| Birth Date: | 3 April 1956 |
| Birth Place: | McDowell County, North Carolina |
| Residence: | Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Party: | Republican |
| Alma Mater: | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Spouse: | Robin Gurley |
Tony Gurley (born April 3, 1956) is an American businessman and political figure from North Carolina, currently serving as chief operating officer for the Office of State Budget and Management.[1] He served on the Wake County Board of Commissioners from his election in 2002 until he resigned in 2014 to take the state position. Gurley served as vice-chairman of the board of commissioners in 2005 and as chairman in 2006–2007, and 2010.
By education, Gurley is both a pharmacist and attorney. He is a member of the North Carolina Republican Party.[2] In 2011, Gurley filed paperwork to run for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 2012, but was subsequently defeated by Dan Forest in the Republican primary.[3]
Gurley was born and raised in McDowell County in Western North Carolina. After graduating from high school, Tony attended University of North Carolina and received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1978. He continued his studies at UNC and in 1981 received his master's degree in Pharmacy Administration. In 1999, he entered Law School at North Carolina Central University. He received his J.D. degree in 2003. After law school, Gurley opened the Law practice of Gurley & Cookson in Raleigh, although he was not active in practicing law.[4]
Gurley began his political career in Raleigh in 2002 when he was elected at-large to the Wake County Board of Commissioners. Gurley was re-elected in 2006, and 2010 respectively.[4]
See main article: North Carolina lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012. In March 2011, Gurley announced via Twitter that he filed organizational papers to run for Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina in 2012. In September 2011, Gurley's candidacy was endorsed by former Lieutenant Governor James Carson Gardner, stating that he liked the idea that Gurley, a pharmacy owner, had a background in business.[5] Shortly thereafter, Gurley was also endorsed by Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison.[6]
Under state law, if no candidate receives 40 percent of the vote in the primary, the second-place candidate can request a second primary (runoff).[7] Gurley declared that he would ask for such a runoff after finishing second in the unofficial May 8 primary election results.[8] Gurley was defeated by Dan Forest on July 17.