Former state senator passes at 92
By From staff reports
Published in News on September 10, 2015 1:46 PM
DEEP RUN -- Former state Sen. Harold Hardison, a powerful lawmaker during the 1970s and '80s, died Wednesday.
He was 92.
Hardison, a Democrat, represented Lenoir County in the state House and Senate, wielding power in the latter as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee from 1977 until 1984.
Known as a friend of business, Hardison drew the ire of environmentalists for pushing legislation that prevented the state from adopting environmental regulations stricter than existing federal regulations.
He was often the target of political cartoons in the Raleigh News & Observer and delighted in posting them on the wall in his office.
"Sure, I support business," he said at the time. "Business pays the freight."
Hardison also was a strong supporter of education and was instrumental in starting the school of medicine at East Carolina University.
Hardison, who served in the Army in World War II, got his start in the oil business, selling fuel to local farmers. He entered politics in the 1960s, serving as chairman of the local school board, and was first elected to the Legislature in 1970.
He eventually ran for lieutenant governor in 1988 but finished second in the Democratic primary and did not force a runoff.
He is survived by his wife, Arlene, and daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Johnnie Braxton.
His funeral will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Deep Run Original Free Will Baptist Church.