Opothleyahola

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

^ "George Grant Cleveland - Candidate Profiles - the Daily News, Jacksonville". Archived from the original on 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-29.
^ http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/membersByDistrict.pl?sChamber=H&nDistrict=14. Retrieved 2013-07-29. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
^ "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.
^ "Republican Lawmaker Claims There's No Extreme Poverty in North Carolina". HuffPost. 3 March 2012.
^ "Our Campaigns - NC State House 14 Race - Nov 02, 2004". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
^ https://www.foxnews.com/media/college-junior-wins-gop-primary-10-term-incumbent-nc-state-lawmaker-lot-hard-work
^ The Charlotte Observer ^{[dead link]}
^ "North Carolina HB34 | TrackBill". trackbill.com. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
^ "HOUSE BILL DRH30470-LMa-159". Retrieved January 31, 2022.
^ "George Cleveland". Retrieved January 31, 2022.
^ "Coastal Incumbents Survive Challenges | Coastal Review Online". www.coastalreview.org. 2020-03-05. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=03/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1915 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1183 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/08/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1049 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1017 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1089 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/06/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1356 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1122 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1194 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2010&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1190 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/06/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1033 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1197 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/02/2006&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=26 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/07/2006&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=167 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=07/20/2004&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=25 North Carolina State Board of Elections.
^ 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 Keith Williams	Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 14th district 2005-Present	Incumbent

[1] "George Grant Cleveland - Candidate Profiles - the Daily News, Jacksonville". Archived from the original on 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-29.

[2] ttp://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/membersByDistrict.pl?sChamber=H&nDistrict=14. Retrieved 2013-07-29. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

[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] ttps://www.foxnews.com/media/college-junior-wins-gop-primary-10-term-incumbent-nc-state-lawmaker-lot-hard-work

[7] The Charlotte Observer ^{[dead link]}

[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] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=03/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1915 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[13] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/03/2020&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1183 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[14] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/08/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1049 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[15] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1017 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[16] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1089 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[17] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/06/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1356 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[18] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2014&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1122 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[19] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2012&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1194 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[20] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2010&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1190 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[21] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/06/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1033 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[22] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/04/2008&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1197 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[23] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=05/02/2006&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=26 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[24] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/07/2006&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=167 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[25] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=07/20/2004&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=25 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

[26] ttps://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/02/2004&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=171 North Carolina State Board of Elections.

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Members of the North Carolina House of Representatives
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)
▌Ed Goodwin (R) ▌Ray Jeffers (D) ▌Steve Tyson (R) ▌Jimmy Dixon (R) ▌Bill Ward (R) ▌Joe Pike (R) ▌Matthew Winslow (R) ▌Gloristine Brown (D) ▌Timothy Reeder (R) ▌John Bell (R) ▌Allison Dahle (D) ▌Chris Humphrey (R) ▌Celeste Cairns (R) ▌George Cleveland (R) ▌Phil Shepard (R) ▌Carson Smith (R) ▌Frank Iler (R) ▌Deb Butler (D) ▌Charlie Miller (R) ▌Ted Davis Jr. (R) ▌Ya Liu (D) ▌William Brisson (R) ▌Shelly Willingham (D) ▌Ken Fontenot (R) ▌Allen Chesser (R) ▌Donna McDowell White (R) ▌Michael Wray (D) ▌Larry Strickland (R) ▌Vernetta Alston (D) ▌Marcia Morey (D) ▌Zack Forde-Hawkins (D) ▌Frank Sossamon (R) ▌Rosa Gill (D) ▌Tim Longest (D) ▌Terence Everitt (D) ▌Julie von Haefen (D) ▌Erin Paré (R) ▌Abe Jones (D) ▌James Roberson (D) ▌Joe John (D) ▌Maria Cervania (D) ▌Marvin Lucas (D) ▌Diane Wheatley (R) ▌Charles Smith (D) ▌Frances Jackson (D) ▌Brenden Jones (R) ▌Jarrod Lowery (R) ▌Garland Pierce (D) ▌Cynthia Ball (D) ▌Renee Price (D) ▌John Sauls (R) ▌Ben Moss (R) ▌Howard Penny Jr. (R) ▌Robert Reives (D) ▌Mark Brody (R) ▌Allen Buansi (D) ▌Ashton Clemmons (D) ▌Amos Quick (D) ▌Alan Branson (R) ▌Cecil Brockman (D) ▌Pricey Harrison (D) ▌John Faircloth (R) ▌Stephen Ross (R) ▌Dennis Riddell (R) ▌Reece Pyrtle (R) ▌Sarah Crawford (D) ▌Wayne Sasser (R) ▌David Willis (R) ▌Dean Arp (R) ▌Brian Biggs (R) ▌Kanika Brown (D) ▌Amber Baker (D) ▌Diamond Staton-Williams (D) ▌Jeff Zenger (R) ▌Donny Lambeth (R) ▌Harry Warren (R) ▌Julia Craven Howard (R) ▌Neal Jackson (R) ▌Keith Kidwell (R) ▌Sam Watford (R) ▌Larry Potts (R) ▌Kristin Baker (R) ▌Kevin Crutchfield (R) ▌Jeffrey McNeely (R) ▌Dudley Greene (R) ▌Hugh Blackwell (R) ▌Destin Hall (R) ▌Mary Belk (D) ▌Mitchell Setzer (R) ▌Sarah Stevens (R) ▌Kyle Hall (R) ▌Terry Brown (D) ▌Ray Pickett (R) ▌Jeffrey Elmore (R) ▌Grey Mills (R) ▌Jay Adams (R) ▌Jason Saine (R) ▌John Bradford (R) ▌Nasif Majeed (D) ▌John Autry (D) ▌Carolyn Logan (D) ▌Becky Carney (D) ▌Laura Budd (D) ▌Brandon Lofton (D) ▌Wesley Harris (D) ▌Carla Cunningham (D) ▌Kelly Alexander (D) ▌John Torbett (R) ▌Donnie Loftis (R) ▌Kelly Hastings (R) ▌Tim Moore (R) ▌Tricia Cotham (R) ▌Jake Johnson (R) ▌Eric Ager (D) ▌Lindsey Prather (D) ▌Caleb Rudow (D) ▌Jennifer Balkcom (R) ▌Mark Pless (R) ▌Mike Clampitt (R) ▌Karl Gillespie (R)
▌Republican (72) ▌Democratic (48) North Carolina General Assembly North Carolina House of Representatives North Carolina Senate