LEARN NC

woman holding open voting booth curtain

Election 2008

2.8 The cabinet

collard greens at the Carrboro farmers market

Farmers markets are regulated by the Commissioner of Agriculture - an elected member of the cabinet. (Image source. More about the photograph)


The Governor’s cabinet consists of the heads of the nineteen executive departments and the Lieutenant Governor.

Council of State
North Carolina voters elect the following nine cabinet members to four-year terms. Collectively, these nine officials are referred to as the Council of State.

Department secretaries
In addition, ten department heads are appointed by the Governor:

  • Administration
  • Commerce
  • Correction
  • Crime Control and Public Safety
  • Cultural Resources
  • Environment and Natural Resources
  • Health and Human Services
  • Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
  • Revenue
  • Transportation
President of the Community College System
The only cabinet member who serves at the pleasure of the State Board of Community Colleges.

On the 2008 ballot

An asterisk (*) denotes the incumbent

Lieutenant Governor

The Lieutenant Governor is first in line to succeed to the governorship should that office become vacant through the death or resignation of the Governor. In addition, the Lieutenant Governor is President of the State Senate and serves on the Council of State and on various boards and commissions.

Walter H. Dalton (D)
Robert Pittenger (R)
Phillip Rhodes (L)

(back to top)

Attorney General

The Attorney General oversees the Department of Justice, which provides legal representation for state agencies, works to protect consumers from fraud, and is responsible for the State Bureau of Investigation.

Roy Cooper* (D)
Bob Crumley (R)

(back to top)

Auditor

The Office of the State Auditor evaluates the state’s financial accountability and program performance.

Beth A Wood (D)
Leslie Merrit (R)

(back to top)

Commissioner of Agriculture

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services promotes and develops agriculture and agricultural research in North Carolina, ensures standards for products and measurement, and works to ensure food and drug safety.

James Ronald “Ronnie” Ansley (D)
Steve Troxler* (R)

(back to top)

Commissioner of Insurance

The Department of Insurance regulates the various kinds of insurance sold in North Carolina and the companies and agents that sell it.

Wayne Goodwin (D)
John Odom (R)
Mark McMains (L)

(back to top)

Commissioner of Labor

The Department of Labor promotes the health, safety, and general well-being of North Carolina’s workers.

Mary Fant Donnan (D)
Cherie Berry* (R)

(back to top)

Secretary of State

The Department of the Secretary of State facilitates business activities and preserves the state’s documents and records.

Elaine F. Marshall* (D)
Jack Sawyer (R)

(back to top)

Superintendent of Public Instruction

The State Superintendent is in charge of the Department of Public Instruction, which oversees the K-12 schools of North Carolina.

June St. Clair Atkinson (D)
Richard Morgan (R)

(back to top)

Treasurer

The Department of the State Treasurer serves as the state’s banker and chief investment officer, administers the public employee retirement systems, oversees other financial matters for the state.

Janet Cowell (D)
Bill Daughtridge (R)

(back to top)