Lauch Faircloth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lauch Faircloth
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Official portrait, March 1993
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| United States Senator from North Carolina |
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| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Terry Sanford |
| Succeeded by | John Edwards |
| 5th North Carolina Secretary of Commerce | |
| In office 1977–1985 |
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| Governor | Jim Hunt |
| Preceded by | Donald R. Beason |
| Succeeded by | Howard Haworth |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Duncan McLauchlin Faircloth
January 14, 1928 Sampson County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | September 14, 2023 (aged 95) Clinton, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic (1950–1990) Republican (1990–2023) |
| Spouse | Nancy Bryan Faircloth (divorced) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1954-1955 |
Duncan McLauchlin "Lauch" Faircloth (January 14, 1928 – September 14, 2023) was an American politician. He served one term as a United States Senator for North Carolina. He was a member of the Republican Party.
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Early Life and Career
Before becoming a senator, Lauch Faircloth was a successful hog farmer. He owned large hog farms. He became interested in politics because he disagreed with new rules for farming. These rules were often about protecting the environment.
Faircloth was a member of the Democratic Party for many years. He started his political journey by working for U.S. Senator Kerr Scott. Scott helped him avoid serving in the Korean War.
Later, Faircloth supported Terry Sanford when Sanford ran for governor in 1960. As a reward, Sanford appointed him to the state highway commission. He also helped Robert W. Scott become governor in 1968. Scott then made Faircloth the chairman of the commission.
Faircloth also served as the Secretary of Commerce. This was during Jim Hunt's time as governor. Faircloth wanted to be governor himself. However, he lost the Democratic primary election in 1984.
Switching Political Parties
In 1990, after 40 years, Faircloth changed his political party. He switched from being a Democrat to a Republican. He then started preparing to run for the Senate in 1992.
He had the support of Senator Jesse Helms's political group. Faircloth won the Republican primary election. He defeated Charlotte mayor Sue Myrick and former congressman Walter E. Johnston III.
His opponent in the main election was his former friend, Terry Sanford. Faircloth attacked Sanford, saying he spent too much money. Faircloth won the election by about 100,000 votes.
Serving in the Senate
Faircloth served one term as a U.S. Senator. His term lasted from 1993 to 1999. He once joked that he wanted to be known as the conservative senator from North Carolina. This was because the state's other senator, Jesse Helms, was known for being very conservative.
Later Life and Legacy
Faircloth ran for re-election in 1998. However, he lost to the Democrat John Edwards. Edwards won with 51.2% of the votes, while Faircloth received 47.0%. This was a difference of about 83,000 votes.
When he accepted his defeat, Faircloth told his supporters, "I feel that I let you down...because we should have won."
Lauch Faircloth passed away at his home in Clinton, North Carolina. He died on September 14, 2023, at the age of 95.
