government. Political dynamics Political role Governors usually informally serve as the state leader of whatever political party to which they belong. They often have the ability to influence the selection of other party leaders, offer endorsements to candidates, and serve as a spokesman for their organization. As a prominent elected official, the governor also wields agenda-setting authority. Trends in officeholders Between 1877 and 1972 all of North Carolina's governors were Democrats, with the exception of Republican Daniel L. Russell, who won a single term to office in 1896. As Republican strength grew in North Carolina after 1950, the state's gubernatorial elections became increasingly competitive. In 1972 James Holshouser was elected as the state's first Republican governor of the 20th century. Even so, Republicans have still had difficulty in winning gubernatorial elections in North Carolina, and the office has usually remained in Democratic hands. Beginning in the latter half of the 20th century, Democratic gubernatorial candidates have regularly outperformed their presidential counterparts. Republican gubernatorial candidates have generally attempted to link their efforts with Republican presidential campaigns, while Democratic candidates have usually placed more distance between themselves and their associated presidential contenders. The vast majority of people who have been elected Governor of North Carolina have been male, white, Protestant Christian, born and raised in a rural North Carolinian environment, about 50 years of age, politically experienced, attorneys, and college educated. Bev Perdue, elected in 2008, was the first woman to serve as governor of North Carolina. Incumbents tend to win reelection. Jim Hunt was the state's longest serving governor with four terms in office, serving from 1977 to 1985 and 1993 to 2001. Weaknesses of powers While North Carolina's governor has stronger appointive abilities than most of their contemporaries around the United States, the office is weaker in the amount of institutional power compared to governors in other states. Unlike governors in 43 other states, the North Carolina governor does not have line-item veto power. They are also prohibited from vetoing joint resolutions of the legislature, local bills, and amendments to the state and federal constitutions. The separate election of other state executive officials on the Council of State draws authority away from the governorship. By law, the governor requires the council's approval for certain acquisitions and disposals of state property. Increasing two-party competitiveness in North Carolina from the 1970s onward and the occurrence of divided government—when the party which controls