Tim Moore Bio
Timothy Keith Moore (born October 2, 1970) is an American attorney and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 14th congressional district since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he built a long career in state government before reaching Congress, most notably as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2015 to 2025.
Before his elevation to the speakership, Moore practiced law in Cleveland County, co-owned a recycling business, and rose through the ranks of the state Republican Party. He is widely recognized for his conservative policy positions, his fundraising ability, and his influence over legislative procedure in Raleigh.
Early Life and Background
Moore was born on October 2, 1970, in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, in the western part of the state. He grew up in a community that would later form the core of his political base, and he attended Kings Mountain High School. As a teenager, Moore worked at the North Carolina General Assembly as a page, an experience that introduced him to state government at an early age. He later interned for a state senator, deepening his exposure to the legislative process.
Moore first enrolled at Campbell College, where he joined the College Republicans and became active in campus politics. After two years, he transferred to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992. He was engaged in student government at both schools and even took a fight to the UNC student Supreme Court in an effort to expand the Student Congress.
Following his undergraduate studies, Moore attended the Oklahoma City University School of Law and graduated with his law degree in 1995. His education in both North Carolina and Oklahoma helped shape his political outlook and prepared him for a career that combined legal practice with public service.
Path to US Politics
Moore’s political rise began in 1997, when, at the age of 26, he was elected chair of the Cleveland County Republican Party. That same year, he was appointed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, becoming the youngest person ever named to that body. These early positions gave him a foothold in both local and statewide Republican politics.
After completing law school in 1995, Moore joined a law firm in the Cleveland County town of Shelby. He later opened his own law practice in Kings Mountain in 2009, representing business and individual clients. He also co-owns 67 Motors, a Forsyth County metal recycling business, giving him experience in both the legal and commercial worlds.
In 2002, Moore won his first race for the North Carolina House of Representatives, defeating Democratic House Majority Whip Andy Dedmon. The victory launched a legislative career that would span more than two decades and eventually place him among the most powerful figures in state government.
Tim Moore Career
Early Career (2003-2010)
Moore entered the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2003 representing the 111th House District, which includes Cleveland County. As a staunch conservative Republican, he spent his first four terms in office in the minority party, as Democrats then controlled the chamber. Despite being in the minority, he established a reputation as a disciplined lawmaker and an effective communicator of conservative principles.
During these early years, Moore concentrated on building relationships within the state Republican Party and on issues such as tax policy, abortion restrictions, and voting rules. His persistence paid off when Republicans won control of the House in 2010. Speaker Thom Tillis then appointed Moore to the powerful post of chairman of the Rules Committee, where he became known for abruptly cutting off many floor debates.
North Carolina House Speakership (2015-2025)
Moore’s fundraising skill and party loyalty made him a natural choice for speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2015. He was elected to the position, taking over at a time when Republicans held majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly. He was reelected to a third term as speaker in 2018 and continued to lead the chamber for the next several years.
As speaker, Moore helped pass sweeping legislation to lower taxes on businesses, tighten rules on abortion and voting, and decline to extend Medicaid coverage to roughly 500,000 uninsured North Carolinians. He was a sponsor in 2016 of House Bill 2, a controversial bathroom bill that drew national attention, and he opposed curbs on partisan gerrymandering in the state. Following the 2018 Parkland school shooting, Moore established a North Carolina House Select Committee on School Safety, though the panel did not take up gun control proposals.
Moore served as speaker until 2025, navigating budget battles with Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and a series of controversies involving state funding for projects in Cleveland County. His tenure ended when he moved to Congress, leaving behind a substantial legacy in state legislative leadership.
U.S. House of Representatives Era (2025-Present)
Tim Moore announced his candidacy for Congress in late 2023 to represent the newly drawn 14th congressional district, which included his home of Cleveland County. He won his race against Democrat Pam Genant and was sworn in as the U.S. representative for North Carolina’s 14th congressional district on January 3, 2025. He succeeded Jeff Jackson, who did not seek reelection to the seat.
In January 2025, President Donald Trump appointed Moore to serve on a board investigating FEMA’s disaster response following Hurricane Helene. In June 2025, Moore sponsored H.R. 3780 (119th Congress), calling for a Border Operations Service Medal. His early work in Congress has focused on border security, federal disaster response, and conservative policy priorities consistent with his long record in the state House.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Moore’s career came in 2016 when he helped shepherd House Bill 2 through the North Carolina House, drawing national attention to the state. Another milestone arrived in 2018, when he was elected to a third term as speaker. In 2019, Moore called a vote to override Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of the state budget, a move that drew sharp criticism from Democrats. His transition to Congress in 2025 marked the start of a new chapter in his long career in public service.
Tim Moore Career Wins
Moore has compiled a lengthy record of electoral victories and political accomplishments, beginning with his 1997 election as chair of the Cleveland County Republican Party. He has been elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives multiple times since 2002, served as speaker of that body from 2015 to 2025, and won his first race for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2024.
North Carolina House Highlights
Moore first won election to the North Carolina House in 2002 by defeating Democratic incumbent Andy Dedmon, and he has represented the 111th House District continuously since then. He was elected speaker of the North Carolina House in 2015 and was returned to the position multiple times, including a third term in 2018. His tenure as speaker made him one of the longest-serving and most influential speakers in modern state history.
Other Wins and Achievements
Beyond his legislative victories, Moore has built a record of institutional influence. In 1997, he became the youngest person ever appointed to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, and in 2015, he was hired as an attorney for the Cleveland County Commission. He has also been recognized as one of the North Carolina House’s most prolific campaign fundraisers.
Tim Moore Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Moore is a lifelong resident of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where he was born and raised. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Kings Mountain, a congregation affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. His deep ties to Cleveland County have been a defining feature of his political identity, even as his career has carried him to Raleigh and Washington.
Personal Life
Moore has two sons, McRae and Wilson. He has balanced his responsibilities as a father with a demanding career in law, business, and politics, and his family has remained based in North Carolina throughout his time in public service.