U.S. Senator. He served in the United States Senate from the state of North Carolina from January 3, 1993 to January 3, 1999. Before joining the political world, he engaged in farming and other business ventures. After helping Robert W. Scott in his bid for governor in 1968, he was awarded with being appointed chairman of the state highway commission, a position he held from 1969 to 1972. He later served as secretary of commerce under the administration of Gov. Jim Hunt from 1977 to 1985. In 1984, he made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. In 1990, he switched from the Democratic party to the Republican party and two years later, ran in the Republican U.S. Senate primary. He was successful in winning the party's nomination and in November of 1992, defeated Democratic Sen. Terry Sanford in the general election. He went on to serve one term in the U.S. Senate before losing a re-election bid in 1998 to Democrat John Edwards. While in the Senate, he was one of the harshest critics of President Bill Clinton. After leaving the Senate, he lived in North Carolina until his passing.

U.S. Senator. He served in the United States Senate from the state of North Carolina from January 3, 1993 to January 3, 1999. Before joining the political world, he engaged in farming and other business ventures. After helping Robert W. Scott in his bid for governor in 1968, he was awarded with being appointed chairman of the state highway commission, a position he held from 1969 to 1972. He later served as secretary of commerce under the administration of Gov. Jim Hunt from 1977 to 1985. In 1984, he made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. In 1990, he switched from the Democratic party to the Republican party and two years later, ran in the Republican U.S. Senate primary. He was successful in winning the party's nomination and in November of 1992, defeated Democratic Sen. Terry Sanford in the general election. He went on to serve one term in the U.S. Senate before losing a re-election bid in 1998 to Democrat John Edwards. While in the Senate, he was one of the harshest critics of President Bill Clinton. After leaving the Senate, he lived in North Carolina until his passing.

Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye