Editing Lauch Faircloth (section)

=== 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>