Dan Forest is an American politician notable for serving as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina from 2013 to 2021. The son of former congresswoman Sue Myrick, Forest transitioned from his profession as an architect into politics. He secured the Republican nomination for Governor of North Carolina in 2020, but was ultimately defeated by the incumbent, Governor Roy Cooper.
October 15, 1967: Dan Forest Born
On October 15, 1967, Dan Forest was born. He would later become the 34th lieutenant governor of North Carolina.
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1995: Mother elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1995, Dan Forest's mother, Sue Myrick, began representing a Charlotte-based congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position she held until 2013.
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July 2012: Secured Republican Nomination
In July 2012, Dan Forest secured the Republican nomination after defeating Tony Gurley in the second primary (runoff election), receiving 67.87% of the vote.
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November 2012: Elected Lieutenant Governor
In November 2012, Dan Forest was elected Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina after defeating Linda Coleman by a very small margin.
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January 7, 2013: Sworn in as Lieutenant Governor
On January 7, 2013, Dan Forest was officially sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.
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2013: Became Lieutenant Governor
In 2013, Dan Forest became the 34th lieutenant governor of North Carolina, serving until 2021.
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2013: Mother's service ends in U.S. House of Representatives
In 2013, Dan Forest's mother Sue Myrick completed her service representing a Charlotte-based congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position she began in 1995.
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November 2016: Re-elected Lieutenant Governor
In November 2016, Dan Forest was re-elected as Lieutenant Governor, defeating Linda Coleman in a rematch.
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2016: Voiced Support for Trump
In 2016, Dan Forest appeared with Donald Trump at a rally and voiced his support for him.
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January 1, 2017: Second term began
On January 1, 2017, Dan Forest's second term as Lieutenant Governor began.
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2018: Remarks to Civitas
In 2018, Dan Forest asserted to Civitas that political issues such as climate change and gun control are "the religion of the left" and that "the left...don't have a hope in God".
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2018: Chairman of Republican Lieutenant Governors Association
In 2018, Dan Forest began a one-year term as the chairman of the Republican Lieutenant Governors Association.
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January 2019: Exploratory Committee for Governor
In January 2019, Dan Forest announced the formation of an exploratory committee to run for governor, challenging Roy Cooper in 2020.
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June 2019: Remarks about diversity and multiculturalism
In June 2019, Dan Forest stated to a church that no nation "has survived the diversity and multiculturalism that America faces today", prompting criticism.
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August 2019: Campaign Launched
In August 2019, Dan Forest formally launched his campaign for governor, denouncing "socialism" and highlighting his anti-abortion views.
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March 2020: Won Republican Primary
In March 2020, Dan Forest won the Republican primary election for governor, defeating Holly Grange.
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March 2020: Stay-at-home directive issued
In late March 2020, Governor Cooper issued a stay-at-home directive in North Carolina, overshadowing Forest's campaign.
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March 2020: Opposed COVID-19 Restrictions
In mid-March 2020, Dan Forest opposed Governor Roy Cooper's closure of bars and restriction of restaurants due to COVID-19.
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April 2020: COVID-19 Economic Assistance
In April 2020, Dan Forest's campaign stated it had given nearly $200,000 from the gubernatorial campaign fund for COVID-19 economic assistance in North Carolina.
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May 2020: Reopening Plan
In early May 2020, North Carolina began a phased reopening, while Forest suggested the virus dangers were exaggerated.
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June 2020: Sued Governor Cooper
In June 2020, Dan Forest sued Governor Cooper over his coronavirus executive orders, alleging the governor needed the concurrence of the Council of State; the lawsuit was later withdrawn after a loss in Superior Court.
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September 2020: Reopening Schools
In September 2020, Dan Forest said that, if elected, he would immediately reopen all K-12 public schools for in-person learning and expressed his opinion that masks were unnecessary.
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November 3, 2020: Lost General Election
On November 3, 2020, Roy Cooper defeated Dan Forest in the general election by 4.51%.
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2020: Gubernatorial Campaign
In 2020, Dan Forest's campaign for governor included calling for an expanded state-funded school voucher program.
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2020: Lost Gubernatorial Election
In 2020, Dan Forest, as the Republican nominee, lost the election for Governor of North Carolina to the incumbent, Roy Cooper.
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2021: End of term as Lieutenant Governor
In 2021, Dan Forest's term as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina ended.
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2022: Mentioned as Senate Candidate
In 2022, Dan Forest was mentioned as a potential candidate for the North Carolina Senate race, after Richard Burr announced he would not seek re-election.
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