In September 2011, Gardner endorsed the (ultimately unsuccessful) 2012 candidacy of Wake County Commissioner Tony Gurley for lieutenant governor. As an "elder statesman," Gardner has been called one of the "Four Jims" of the North Carolina Republican establishment, the others being former Governors Holshouser and Martin and former U.S. Sen. Jim Broyhill. (Holshouser died in 2013) In January 2013, Gardner served as master of ceremonies at the inauguration ceremony for newly elected Gov.
In September 2011, Gardner supported the (ultimately unsuccessful) 2012 candidacy of Wake County Commissioner Tony Gurley for lieutenant governor. As a prominent figure, Gardner has been referred to as one of the "Four Jims" of the North Carolina Republican establishment, alongside former Governors Holshouser and Martin and former U.S. Sen. Jim Broyhill. (Holshouser passed away in 2013) In January 2013, Gardner served as master of ceremonies at the inauguration ceremony for newly elected Gov.