Tony Gurley Explained

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]

Early life, education and business career

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]

Political career

Wake County Board of Commissioners

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]

2012 run for lieutenant governor

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]

Electoral history

2012

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.

2002

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2014/02/tony-gurley-accepts-state-budget.html Tony Gurley accepts state budget position, resigns as Wake Co. commissioner
  2. News: Goldsmith. Thomas. Newcomer goes after Gurley. 3 November 2011. Raleigh News & Observer. 11 October 2010.
  3. News: Cornatzer. Mary. Gurley files papers for Lt. Governor bid. 3 November 2011. Raleigh News & Observer. 23 March 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120401170058/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/gurley_files_papers_for_lt_governor_bid. 1 April 2012.
  4. Web site: Commissioner Profiles. WakeGov.com. County of Wake. 3 November 2011.
  5. News: Christensen. Rob. Gardner backs Gurley for lt. gov.. 3 November 2011. Raleigh News & Observer. 26 September 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131106123625/http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/gardner_backs_gurley_for_lt_gov. 6 November 2013.
  6. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/harrison_endorses_gurley_for_lt_gov Harrison endorses Gurley for Lt. Gov.
  7. http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/poll_suggests_gop_headed_toward_runoff_in_lt_gov_and_auditor_races Poll suggests GOP headed toward runoff in Lt. Gov. and Auditor races
  8. http://www.tonygurley.com/2012/05/gurley-we-are-just-getting-started/ Tony Gurley statement