Editing Lauch Faircloth (section)

== Early political career ==
Faircloth began his career as a [[Conservative Democrat|Democrat]]. He worked on [[W. Kerr Scott]]'s successful 1948 [[1948 North Carolina gubernatorial election|gubernatorial campaign]] and his 1954 [[1954 United States Senate election in North Carolina|U.S. Senate campaign]].<ref name="ie4gh"/><ref name="e234gh"/> Scott rewarded Faircloth by helping him get out of service in the [[Korean War]] via a hardship discharge in 1955. In 1960, Faircloth worked on [[Terry Sanford]]'s successful gubernatorial bid, and afterwards Sanford rewarded Faircloth with an appointment to the state highway commission, on which he served from 1961 to 1965.<ref name="ie4gh"/> After helping [[Robert W. Scott]] in his bid for the governorship in [[1968 North Carolina gubernatorial election|1968]], Scott named Faircloth chairman of the commission, replacing Joe Hunt Jr.,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-danville-register-joe-hunt-jr-resig/138199132/ Joe Hunt Jr. Resigns as Chairman Of Carolina Highway Commission]. ''The Danville Register''. February 8, 1969.</ref> which he served as from 1969 to 1973.<ref name="w4gww3">May, A.L. (March 28, 1995). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-senator-aims-to/137763674/ Senator aims to shed light on first lady's deals]. ''The Atlanta Constitution''.</ref>

When [[Jim Hunt]] was elected governor in [[1976 North Carolina gubernatorial election|1976]], he selected Faircloth serve as Secretary of [[North Carolina Department of Commerce|Commerce]].  As Commerce Secretary, he was paid $32,580 a year.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-chapel-hill-news-hunt-chooses-faircl/138185492/ Hunt Chooses Faircloth To Join Cabinet]. ''The Chapel Hill News''. December 30, 1976.</ref> Manufacturing jobs in North Carolina grew 8.4 percent under Faircloth, the third highest in the southeast.<ref name="39rtey">[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-faircloths-time/138196160/ FAIRCLOTH'S TIME IN GOVERNMENT]. ''The Charlotte Observer''. September 13, 1992.</ref> The weekly wage increased from $170 when he took office to $297 when he left, which was virtually unchanged from national wages.<ref name="39rtey"/>

=== 1984 gubernatorial campaign === 
Faircloth, aspiring to the governor's office himself, resigned as Commerce Secretary in June 1983.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-faircloth-quits/137709133/ Faircloth Quits, Hunts At Run]. ''Asheville Citizen-Times''. June 17, 1986.</ref> On July 25, he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the [[1984 North Carolina gubernatorial election|1984 gubernatorial election]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-faircloth-announ/138186372/ Faircloth Announces Campaign]. ''Asheville Citizen-Times''. July 26, 1983.</ref> While flying to a campaign stop on August 22, 1983, the small twin-engine plane he was aboard crashed into the [[Catawba River]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-politicians-who-s/137992080/ Politicians Who Survived Small-Plane Accidents]. ''The Charlotte Observer''. May 14, 2006.</ref> According to one passenger, Faircloth forced the plane's door open and helped all the occupants escape moments before the plane exploded.<ref name=":1" /> After the crash, Faircloth was transferred to Marion General Hospital for minor burns to his right hand.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times-candidate-survives-cra/138187396/ Candidate survives crash]. ''The Journal Times''. [[Associated Press]]. August 23, 1983.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/rocky-mount-telegram-crash-survival-term/138186717/ Crash Survival Termed Lucky]. ''Rocky Mount Telegram''. August 24, 1983.</ref>

In December 1983, Faircloth was endorsed by Terry Sanford, a former governor and the then-president of [[Duke University]] who had appointed Faircloth to the state highway commission 20 years prior.<ref name="365rh4">Oliver, Tom (December 8, 1983). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-sun-sanford-supports-lauch-fa/138192376/ Sanford Supports Lauch Faircloth]. ''The Herald-Sun''.</ref> Sanford said that Faircloth was "an old and trusted friend" and "the best qualified candidate we have in North Carolina".<ref name="365rh4"/> Faircloth was defeated in the 1984 primary by [[Rufus Edmisten]], who lost the general election to congressman [[James G. Martin]].<ref>Eudy, Ken (June 17, 1984). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-democrats-preach/137760157/ Democrats Preach A Theme Of Unity In Knox's Absence]. ''The Charlotte Observer''.</ref> Official Board of Elections reports showed that Faircloth spent $2,100,605.70 on his campaign.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-losers-reveal-fi/138193614/ Losers Reveal Final Governor's Race Costs]. ''Asheville Citizen-Times''. July 25, 1989.</ref>

=== Later activities ===
Faircloth was considered a potential candidate for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator [[John Porter East]] in [[1986 United States Senate election in North Carolina|1986]].<ref>O'Connor, Paul T. (October 16, 1985). [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-durham-sun-faircloth-interested-in-s/137776547/ Faircloth interested in Senate]. ''The Durham Sun''.</ref> He initially declined, but in November 1985 he said he was reconsidering his decision and launched a campaign committee.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/rocky-mount-telegram-faircloth-may-recon/138194954/ Faircloth may reconsider race]. ''Rocky Mount Telegram''. November 5, 1985.</ref> But in January 1986, he announced he would not run after Sanford entered the race; Sanford would go on to win the election.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-durham-sun-faircloth-bows-out-of-sen/137776996/ Faircloth bows out of Senate seat race]. ''The Durham Sun''. January 14, 1986.</ref> Afterward, Faircloth grew close with Republican Senator [[Jesse Helms]] and supported Helms' [[1990 United States Senate election in North Carolina|1990 reelection campaign]].<ref name="ie4gh"/> On February 14, 1991, Faircloth switched his party registration to Republican, saying that Democrats had become "too [[liberalism|liberal]]" and hinted at a potential run for the U.S. Senate in [[1992 United States Senate election in North Carolina|1992]], vying to face former ally Terry Sanford in the election.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/asheville-citizen-times-former-democrati/137778726/ Former Democratic Stalwart Switches Parties]. ''Asheville Citizen-Times''. [[Associated Press]]. February 23, 1991.</ref>