George Holding

Early life, education, and early law career

The youngest of five children, Holding grew up in Raleigh. He is a member of the Holding family which founded the First Citizens Bank in Smithfield. He attended the Groton School in Massachusetts. He attended Wake Forest University, studying Classics. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, he studied law at Wake Forest University School of Law. During law school, he met his future wife, Lucy Herriott. They married after graduating and returned to Raleigh where Holding practiced law with Kilpatrick Stockton.

In 1998, Holding left the practice of law to serve as legislative counsel to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms in Washington. He was employed by Maupin Taylor, a Raleigh law firm, from 2001 to 2002. Holding joined the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of North Carolina in 2002, working under Frank DeArmon Whitney. Under Whitney, the U.S. Attorney's office prosecuted a number of high-profile public corruption cases, including former state Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps, former state House Speaker Jim Black and former U.S. Representative Frank Ballance. Whitney left his position as U.S. Attorney when he became a judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

U.S. Attorney's office

On September 9, 2006, Holding was nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed Frank Whitney as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. On September 13, 2006, the U.S. Senate confirmed Holding's nomination by voice vote. Holding remained as U.S. Attorney for two and a half years into the Obama administration in order to complete a number of political corruption cases.

During Holding's tenure as U.S. Attorney, former North Carolina Governor Mike Easley pleaded guilty to a campaign finance felony that followed a lengthy federal investigation. Holding oversaw the prosecution of former U.S. Senator John Edwards on campaign-finance charges; in 2012, Edwards was acquitted on one count, and the jury deadlocked on five other counts. The Justice Department decided not to retry Edwards on the counts that the jury deadlocked on.

During his tenure, Holding also oversaw the prosecution of Daniel Patrick Boyd and the Raleigh jihad group on charges including conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2012

Main article: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 13

After his resignation as U.S. Attorney in 2011, Holding announced his candidacy for Congress in North Carolina's 13th congressional district. The district had been significantly redrawn to be more compact and Republican than its predecessor. The old 13th ran along a portion of the Virginia border, but extended two tendrils into Greensboro and Raleigh. The new 13th covered eastern Raleigh, as well as suburban and exurban areas to the east. Holding was endorsed by multiple conservative business and civic leaders, including N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake and former U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth.

Holding won the Republican primary in May. He defeated former Raleigh Mayor Paul Coble. In the general election, he won the seat with 57% of the vote.

2014

Main article: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 13

Holding was unopposed in the Republican primary for re-election. He won the general election against his Democratic challenger, Brenda Cleary, a registered nurse and former executive director of the North Carolina Center for Nursing, 57%-43%.

2016

Main article: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 2

Following court-ordered redistricting in 2016, a large portion of the 13th was merged into the neighboring 2nd district. Holding's home was located in the 4th district under the new map, just outside the new 2nd's borders. However, congressional candidates are only required to live in the state they wish to represent. Holding decided to run in the 2nd district against the incumbent, fellow Republican Renee Ellmers, in the primary. The newly drawn district encompassed outer portions of Raleigh, many of its northern and southern suburbs, along with parts of rural Harnett, Johnston, Wilson, Nash, and Franklin counties.

During the primary campaign, Holding was endorsed by the American Conservative Union and the anti-abortion N.C. Values Coalition, and the Club for Growth and the Koch brothers' Americans for Prosperity ran ads against Ellmers. In the June 2016 primary, Holding defeated Ellmers, 53.4% to 23.6%, with a third candidate, Greg Brannon, receiving 23.0% of the vote.

In the November 2016 general election, Holding defeated Democratic nominee John McNeil, receiving 56.7% to McNeil's 43.3%.

2018

Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 2

In 2018, the Cook Political Report rated the congressional race in the 2nd district as "lean Republican." Libertarian Party candidate Jeff Matemu received 2.9% of the vote.

2020

Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina#District 2

After a North Carolina state judge issued a preliminary injunction forbidding the use of the 2016 congressional map for the 2020 elections, the state legislature drew a new map. Holding's district was made significantly more Democratic than its predecessor. by comparison, Donald Trump had carried the old 2nd with 53 percent of the vote. On paper, the new map turned the 2nd from a Republican-leaning district into one of the most Democratic white-majority districts in the South.

Even before the new map was issued, state and national Democrats viewed the 2nd as a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats due to the close 2018 contest. Three Democrats sought the congressional nomination.

Tenure

During Donald Trump's presidency, Holding voted in line with the president's stated position 90.5% of the time.

Holding opposes abortion, and during his 2016 Republican primary battle against Representative Renee Ellmers, Holding received the support of two major anti-abortion groups, the Susan B. Anthony List and the National Right to Life Committee. In 2017, Holding voted for legislation to ban abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Holding opposes the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) and supported the 2017 House Republican bill to repeal and replace the ACA. During his 2018 re-election campaign, Holding incorrectly claimed that "we’re all paying 100 percent more" on health insurance premiums due to the ACA; in fact, only 2 to 5 percent of Americans were affected by premium increases related to the ACA's individual market, which is the smallest health insurance market.

On December 18, 2019, Holding voted against both articles of impeachment against Trump. Of the 195 Republicans who voted, all voted against both impeachment articles.

Committee assignments

Holding's committee assignments were as follows:

• 113th Congress (2013–15): Foreign Affairs; Judiciary
• 114th Congress (2015–17): Ways and Means
• 115th Congress (2017–19): Ways and Means
• 116th Congress (2019–21): Ways and Means, Budget, Ethics

Caucus memberships

Holding was a member of the Republican Study Committee, Congressional Western Caucus, International Conservation Caucus, and U.S.-Japan Caucus. Holding was the House Republican chair of the British-American Parliamentary Group, which maintained ties between the U.S. Congress and the British Parliament, and was co-chair of the Congressional U.K. Caucus; in theses roles, Holding had led congressional delegations to Britain and commented on Brexit.

Post-congressional career

Private sector

In 2021, Holding was hired to work as a managing director of government relations for Blackstone Inc. In March 2025, he was appointed to the board of directors of Trump Media and Technology Group Corp.{{cite web|title=Former Congressman George Holding Joins Trump Media Board

U.S. Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

Holding was nominated to be the U.S. Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development by President Donald Trump on September 9, 2025.

Awards

In July 2022, he was awarded as Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), for services to UK -US Relations.

Personal life

George is married to Lucy Holding, who was born in England. They have four children. Holding is a Baptist.

References

References

1. Mutnick, Ally. (December 6, 2019). "Republican George Holding will retire rather than run in deep-blue seat". [[Politico]].
2. "Congress.gov". Congress.
3. (February 19, 2016). "U.S. Rep. George Holding plans to challenge Rep. Renee Ellmers under new map". Charlotte Observer.
4. (February 17, 2017). "Groton School Quarterly, Winter 2017".
5. Beckwith, Ryan Teague. (May 17, 2007). "George Holding". Raleigh News & Observer.
6. [https://www.congress.gov/nomination/109th-congress/1661 PN1661 — George E.B. Holding — Department of Justice], 109th Congress (2005–2006).
7. Josh Gerstein, [https://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2012/06/ex-prosecutor-george-holding-defends-john-edwards-case-126118 Ex-prosecutor George Holding defends John Edwards case], ''Politico'' (June 13, 2012).
8. Curliss, J. Andrew. (November 24, 2010). "Easley convicted of felony; state, federal probes end". Raleigh News & Observer.
9. (February 9, 2011). "Johnston man pleads guilty in terrorist conspiracy". WRAL-TV, Capitol Broadcasting Company.
10. Christensen, Rob. (July 14, 2011). "Holding will seek 13th District seat". Raleigh News & Observer.
11. Oleniacz, Laura. (November 7, 2012). "Republican Holding takes 13th District congressional seat". The Herald Sun.
12. (November 4, 2014). "NC SBE Contest Results". North Carolina State Board of Elections.
13. (February 19, 2016). "U.S. Rep. George Holding plans to challenge Rep. Renee Ellmers under new map". [[The News & Observer]].
14. Brett Samuels, [https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/415261-gop-rep-george-holding-hangs-on-to-win-re-election-in-north-carolina GOP Rep. George Holding holds on to win reelection in North Carolina], ''The Hill'' (November 7, 2018).
15. Will Doran, [https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article236373293.html New campaign fundraising numbers give NC Democrats hope of flipping a US House seat], ''News & Observer'' (October 22, 2019).
16. Will Doran. (June 3, 2016). "In North Carolina's 2nd District, a fight over residency and authenticity between Holding, Ellmers". Politifact North Carolina.
17. (June 7, 2016). "NC SBE Contest Results". North Carolina State Board of Elections.
18. [https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/north-carolina-house-district-2-holding-mcneil North Carolina U.S. House 2nd District Results: George Holding Wins], ''New York Times'' (2016).
19. Holding won reelection with 51.3% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee [[Linda Coleman (North Carolina politician). Linda Coleman]], a former [[North Carolina House of Representatives
20. Outside groups]] spent at least $3.3 million on the competitive race.Brian Murphy, [https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article220967145.html George Holding makes immigration, support for Wake sheriff his final pitch before election], ''News & Observer'' (November 1, 2019).
21. The old 2nd had covered most of northern and southern Wake County, as well as exurban areas south and east of the capital. The new 2nd was a compact district in southern Wake County, including almost all of Raleigh. Had it existed in 2016, [[Hillary Clinton]] would have carried it with 60 percent of the vote;[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h6zUCg8K0tcOM4HsISJpWfylYv7MYQNl7cheAqtG6UI/edit#gid=1058480395 Presidential results for reconfigured North Carolina districts] via [[Daily Kos]]
22. [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VfkHtzBTP5gf4jAu8tcVQgsBJ1IDvXEHjuMqYlOgYbA/edit#gid=0 Presidential results by congressional district] for districts used in 2016, from [[Daily Kos]]
23. (December 5, 2019). "Handicapping North Carolina's New Congressional Districts". Center For Politics.
24. [https://web.archive.org/web/20171006001625/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/george-holding/ Tracking Congress in the Age of Trump: George Holding, Republican representative for North Carolina’s 2nd District], ''[[FiveThirtyEight]]'' (last accessed November 3, 2019).
25. Alex Roarty, [https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/unprecedented-action-one-anti-abortion-group The Unprecedented Action of One Anti-Abortion Group], ''Roll Call'' (May 16, 2016).
26. Jennifer Haberkorn, [https://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/renee-ellmers-anti-abortion-groups-221296 Anti-abortion groups run from Ellmers], ''Politico'' (March 28, 2016).
27. Travis Fain. (October 24, 2018). "Fact check: George Holding and special-interest money". WRAL.
28. William Douglas & Anna Douglas, [https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article137792903.html NC House Republicans split on GOP Obamacare repeal bill], McClatchy (March 17, 2019).
29. Bill McCarthy. (October 26, 2018). "Holding misleads on Obamacare premium increase during debate". PolitiFact.
30. [https://history.house.gov/Congressional-Overview/Profiles/113th/ Congress Profiles: 113th Congress (2013–2015)], ''Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 113th Congress'', United States House of Representatives.
31. [https://history.house.gov/Congressional-Overview/Profiles/114th/ Congress Profiles: 114th Congress (2015–2017)], ''Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 114th Congress'', United States House of Representatives.
32. [https://history.house.gov/Congressional-Overview/Profiles/115th/ Congress Profiles: 115th Congress (2017–2019)], ''Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 115th Congress'', United States House of Representatives.
33. [http://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/oal.aspx Official Alphabetical List of Members with Committee Assignments for the 116th Congress], United States House of Representatives.
34. "Member List". Republican Study Committee.
35. "Members". Congressional Western Caucus.
36. "Our Members". U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus.
37. "Members". U.S. - Japan Caucus.
38. Adam Shaw, [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republicans-us-uk-boris-johnson Republicans hope for recharge in US-UK ties as Boris Johnson takes power], Fox News (July 25, 2019).
39. Ben Riley-Smith, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/21/britain-risks-trade-deal-poison-pill-sticks-close-brussels-us/ Britain risks trade deal 'poison pill' if it sticks close to Brussels, US delegation head warns], ''Telegraph'' (February 21, 2018).
40. "George Holding — European Bank for Reconstruction and Development". Congress.
41. (2022). "Honorary Awards to Foreign Nationals in 2022". Gov.UK.
42. Anna Douglas, [https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article62038672.html Holding sheds no tears in challenging Ellmers: 'Just is what it is'], McClatchy (February 23, 2016).
43. Lynn Bonner & Anna Douglas, [https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article79125092.html Conservative bonafides at issue in 2nd District Republican primary], ''News & Observer'' (May 21, 2016).
44. (2019-01-03). "Religious affiliation of members of 116th Congress". [[Pew Research Center]].