Josephus L. Mavretic

Josephus Lyman Mavretic (born July 29, 1934) is a former Democratic public official and military veteran from North Carolina. Born in Currituck County,[1] he made his career as a Marine, graduating from the Naval War College and becoming a Marine fighter pilot, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.[1][2][3] Mavretic had served 300 combat missions in Vietnam and recorded 3000 hours of flight time.[4]

Josephus Mavretic
Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives
In office 1989–1991
Preceded by	Liston B. Ramsey
Succeeded by	Dan Blue
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 71st district
In office 1993–1995
Preceded by	William W. Lewis
Succeeded by	Edward N. Tolson
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 8th district
In office 1983–1993 Serving with Allen Cromwell Barbee, Thomas Hill Matthews, Jeanne Tucker Fenner (1983–1985)
Preceded by	Samuel David Bundy Ed Nelson Warren
Succeeded by	Linwood Eborn Mercer
Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 7th district
In office 1981–1983 Serving with Allen Cromwell Barbee, Roger Wayne Bone, Jeanne Tucker Fenner
Preceded by	James Earl Ezzell Jr.
Succeeded by	Frank Ballance
Personal details
Born	(1934-07-29) July 29, 1934 Powells Point, North Carolina
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Laura Kranifeld
Children	1
Alma mater	University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (AB) George Washington University (MS) Naval War College
Occupation	Soldier (lieutenant colonel, USMC, Ret.)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1956–1977
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel

He retired from the Marines and returned to his home state. He came from a Democratic family and community, and he ran successfully for the North Carolina House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1980. He succeeded Jim Ezzell.[5] In spite of his party label, he admired President Ronald Reagan and was willing to buck his party on several issues.

Mavretic became nationally known when he led a bipartisan coalition to remove Liston B. Ramsey from the position of Speaker of the House.[2][6] He then served in that position from 1989 to 1990.[1][2][7]

He left the legislature in 1995 and retired to private life. He is now a panelist on the television news talk show NC Spin.[1][2][8]