George G. Cleveland

American politician from North Carolina
George Cleveland
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 14th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2005
Preceded byKeith Williams
Personal details
Born
George Grant Cleveland

(1939-05-09) May 9, 1939 (age 85)
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Political partyRepublican
SpouseNancy Leatherman Cleveland
Children4
ResidenceJacksonville, North Carolina
Alma materUniversity of Maryland, College Park (BS)

George Grant Cleveland (born May 9, 1939), is a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives. He has represented the 14th District (including constituents in eastern Onslow County) since 2005. He is a 25-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps.[1]

He currently resides in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where he has lived for over 25 years.[2] In 2012, Cleveland generated controversy when he stated that the state of North Carolina has "no one in the state of North Carolina living in extreme poverty" during a debate in the House regarding preschool funding.[3] In a conflicting statement, the non-profit group Action for Children in North Carolina cited statistics claiming one in ten North Carolina children live in extreme poverty.[4]

North Carolina House of Representatives

Cleveland first ran for the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2004, where he defeated incumbent Keith Williams in the Republican primary.[5] He has been re-elected a total of 8 times, most recently in 2020. He was defeated for re-election in the 2024 primary by college student Wyatt Gable, someone just over one-quarter of his age.[6]

In February 2017, Cleveland joined with Representatives Michael Speciale (R-Craven), and Larry Pittman (R-Cabarrus) in proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow North Carolina voters to repeal Article I, Section 4 of the North Carolina Constitution. This article declares "This State shall ever remain a member of the American Union; the people thereof are part of the American nation," and prohibits the state from seceding from the United States of America, and its inclusion in North Carolina's 1868 constitution was a condition for being readmitted into the Union after the Civil War.[7]

During the 2017 session, Cleveland introduced a bill to budget the funds to purchase for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol three rescue helicopters.[8]

H.B. 1050 was introduced by Representative Cleveland in 2018. The bill worked to authorize the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to apply for Federal Funds for the Expansion of Sandhills 4 State Vets Cemetery and Western Carolina State Cemetery.[9]

Committee assignments

[10]

2021-2022 session

  • Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Appropriations - General Government (Chair)
  • Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs (Vice Chair)
  • Marine Resources and Aqua Culture Committee (Vice Chair)
  • State Government (Vice Chair)
  • Transportation (Vice Chair)
  • Insurance

2019-2020 session

  • Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Appropriations - General Government Committee (Chair)
  • Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs (Chair)
  • House State and Local Government (Vice Chair)
  • Transportation (Vice Chair)
  • Insurance
  • Wildlife Resources

2017-2018 session

  • Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Appropriations - General Government (Chair)
  • Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs (Chair)
  • Transportation (Vice Chair)
  • State and Local Government I
  • Wildlife Resources
  • Agriculture
  • Judiciary IV

2015-2016 session

  • Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Appropriations - General Government (Chair)
  • Appropriations - Information Technology
  • Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs (Chair)
  • Transportation (Vice Chair)
  • Local Government
  • Wildlife Resources
  • Agriculture
  • Education - K-12
  • Judiciary III

2013-2014 session

  • Appropriations (Vice Chair)
  • Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs (Chair)
  • Transportation (Vice Chair)
  • Government
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Judiciary

2011-2012 session

  • Appropriations
  • Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs (Chair)
  • Transportation
  • Government
  • Agriculture
  • Education
  • Judiciary

2009-2010 session

  • Appropriations
  • Homeland Security, Military, and Veterans Affairs
  • Transportation
  • Wildlife Resources
  • Education

Electoral history

2020

In March 2020, Cleveland, R-Onslow, won the Republican nomination to retain the N.C. House District 14 seat with 68% of the vote. He defeated Democrat Mary Wofford in the general election.[11]

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district Republican primary election, 2020[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 4,112 67.60%
Republican Cindy Edwards 1,971 32.40%
Total votes 6,083 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2020[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 19,666 60.02%
Democratic Marcy Wofford 13,100 39.98%
Total votes 32,266 100%
Republican hold

2018

In November 2018, Cleveland beat Isaiah Johnson by almost 18 percentage points.

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district Republican primary election, 2018[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 2,122 52.54%
Republican Joseph R. McLaughlin 1,917 47.46%
Total votes 4,039 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2018[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 10,544 58.82%
Democratic Isaiah (Ike) Johnson 7,381 41.18%
Total votes 17,295 100%
Republican hold

2016

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2016[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 18,908 100%
Total votes 18,908 100%
Republican hold

2014

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district Republican primary election, 2014[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 3,051 55.22%
Republican Bobby Mills 2,474 44.78%
Total votes 5,525 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2014[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 10,740 100%
Total votes 10,740 100%
Republican hold

2012

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2012[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 15,861 100%
Total votes 15,861 100%
Republican hold

2010

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2010[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 8,961 100%
Total votes 8,961 100%
Republican hold

2008

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district Republican primary election, 2008[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 1,930 55.86%
Republican Martin Aragona, Jr. 1,525 44.14%
Total votes 3,455 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2008[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 16,926 100%
Total votes 16,926 100%
Republican hold

2006

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district Republican primary election, 2006[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 533 54.78%
Republican Keith Williams 440 45.22%
Total votes 973 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2006[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland (incumbent) 5,238 58.05%
Democratic Kever M. Clark 3,785 41.95%
Total votes 9,023 100%
Republican hold

2004

North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district Republican primary election, 2004[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland 1,182 53.92%
Republican Keith Williams (incumbent) 1,010 46.08%
Total votes 2,192 100%
North Carolina House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2004[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican George Cleveland 11,479 60.78%
Democratic Kever M. Clark 7,406 39.22%
Total votes 18,885 100%
Republican hold

References

  1. ^ "George Grant Cleveland - Candidate Profiles - the Daily News, Jacksonville". Archived from the original on 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
  2. ^ "Representative George G. Cleveland (Rep)". North Carolina General Assembly. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  3. ^ "George Cleveland, Republican Rep, Claims No Extreme Poverty In North Carolina As Preschool Cuts Weighed, Huffington Post". NC Child. 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  4. ^ "Republican Lawmaker Claims There's No Extreme Poverty in North Carolina". HuffPost. 3 March 2012.
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - NC State House 14 Race - Nov 02, 2004". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  6. ^ Coggins, Madeline. "College junior wins GOP primary against 10-term incumbent NC state lawmaker: 'Lot of hard work'". Fox News. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  7. ^ "The Charlotte Observer". Archived from the original on 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2017-02-24.
  8. ^ "North Carolina HB34 | TrackBill". trackbill.com. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  9. ^ "HOUSE BILL DRH30470-LMa-159". Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  10. ^ "George Cleveland". Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  11. ^ "Coastal Incumbents Survive Challenges | Coastal Review Online". www.coastalreview.org. 2020-03-05. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  12. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=03/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1915 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  13. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1183 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  14. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/08/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1049 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  15. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1017 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  16. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1089 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  17. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/06/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1356 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  18. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1122 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  19. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1194 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  20. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2010&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1190 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  21. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/06/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1033 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  22. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1197 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  23. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/02/2006&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=26 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  24. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/07/2006&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=167 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  25. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=07/20/2004&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=25 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
  26. ^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2004&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=171 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

External links

  • Project Vote Smart - Rep. George Cleveland profile
  • General Assembly Page Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine
North Carolina House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives
from the 14th district

2005-Present
Incumbent
  • v
  • t
  • e
156th General Assembly (2023–2024)
Speaker of the House
Tim Moore (R)
Speaker pro tempore
Sarah Stevens (R)
Majority Leader
John Bell (R)
Minority Leader
Robert Reives (D)
  1. Ed Goodwin (R)
  2. Ray Jeffers (D)
  3. Steve Tyson (R)
  4. Jimmy Dixon (R)
  5. Bill Ward (R)
  6. Joe Pike (R)
  7. Matthew Winslow (R)
  8. Gloristine Brown (D)
  9. Timothy Reeder (R)
  10. John Bell (R)
  11. Allison Dahle (D)
  12. Chris Humphrey (R)
  13. Celeste Cairns (R)
  14. George Cleveland (R)
  15. Phil Shepard (R)
  16. Carson Smith (R)
  17. Frank Iler (R)
  18. Deb Butler (D)
  19. Charlie Miller (R)
  20. Ted Davis Jr. (R)
  21. Ya Liu (D)
  22. William Brisson (R)
  23. Shelly Willingham (D)
  24. Ken Fontenot (R)
  25. Allen Chesser (R)
  26. Donna McDowell White (R)
  27. Michael Wray (D)
  28. Larry Strickland (R)
  29. Vernetta Alston (D)
  30. Marcia Morey (D)
  31. Zack Forde-Hawkins (D)
  32. Frank Sossamon (R)
  33. Rosa Gill (D)
  34. Tim Longest (D)
  35. Terence Everitt (D)
  36. Julie von Haefen (D)
  37. Erin Paré (R)
  38. Abe Jones (D)
  39. James Roberson (D)
  40. Joe John (D)
  41. Maria Cervania (D)
  42. Marvin Lucas (D)
  43. Diane Wheatley (R)
  44. Charles Smith (D)
  45. Frances Jackson (D)
  46. Brenden Jones (R)
  47. Jarrod Lowery (R)
  48. Garland Pierce (D)
  49. Cynthia Ball (D)
  50. Renee Price (D)
  51. John Sauls (R)
  52. Ben Moss (R)
  53. Howard Penny Jr. (R)
  54. Robert Reives (D)
  55. Mark Brody (R)
  56. Allen Buansi (D)
  57. Ashton Clemmons (D)
  58. Amos Quick (D)
  59. Alan Branson (R)
  60. Cecil Brockman (D)
  61. Pricey Harrison (D)
  62. John Faircloth (R)
  63. Stephen Ross (R)
  64. Dennis Riddell (R)
  65. Reece Pyrtle (R)
  66. Sarah Crawford (D)
  67. Wayne Sasser (R)
  68. David Willis (R)
  69. Dean Arp (R)
  70. Brian Biggs (R)
  71. Kanika Brown (D)
  72. Amber Baker (D)
  73. Diamond Staton-Williams (D)
  74. Jeff Zenger (R)
  75. Donny Lambeth (R)
  76. Harry Warren (R)
  77. Julia Craven Howard (R)
  78. Neal Jackson (R)
  79. Keith Kidwell (R)
  80. Sam Watford (R)
  81. Larry Potts (R)
  82. Kristin Baker (R)
  83. Kevin Crutchfield (R)
  84. Jeffrey McNeely (R)
  85. Dudley Greene (R)
  86. Hugh Blackwell (R)
  87. Destin Hall (R)
  88. Mary Belk (D)
  89. Mitchell Setzer (R)
  90. Sarah Stevens (R)
  91. Kyle Hall (R)
  92. Terry Brown (D)
  93. Ray Pickett (R)
  94. Jeffrey Elmore (R)
  95. Grey Mills (R)
  96. Jay Adams (R)
  97. Jason Saine (R)
  98. John Bradford (R)
  99. Nasif Majeed (D)
  100. John Autry (D)
  101. Carolyn Logan (D)
  102. Becky Carney (D)
  103. Laura Budd (D)
  104. Brandon Lofton (D)
  105. Wesley Harris (D)
  106. Carla Cunningham (D)
  107. Kelly Alexander (D)
  108. John Torbett (R)
  109. Donnie Loftis (R)
  110. Kelly Hastings (R)
  111. Tim Moore (R)
  112. Tricia Cotham (R)
  113. Jake Johnson (R)
  114. Eric Ager (D)
  115. Lindsey Prather (D)
  116. Caleb Rudow (D)
  117. Jennifer Balkcom (R)
  118. Mark Pless (R)
  119. Mike Clampitt (R)
  120. Karl Gillespie (R)