Lauch Faircloth
Duncan McLauchlin "Lauch" Faircloth (January 14, 1928 – September 14, 2023) was an American politician and farmer who served as a United States Senator from North Carolina from 1993 to 1999. He was a Democrat for most of his career until he joined the Republican Party in 1991.
Lauch Faircloth | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1993 | |
| United States Senator from North Carolina | |
| In office January 5, 1993 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Terry Sanford |
| Succeeded by | John Edwards |
| North Carolina Secretary of Commerce | |
| In office January 10, 1977 – June 16, 1983 | |
| Governor | Jim Hunt |
| Preceded by | Donald 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. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 1991) Republican (1991–2023) |
| Spouse(s) |
Lady Lynn Talton
(m. 1955, divorced)Nancy Anne Bryan
(m. 1967; div. 1986) |
| Children | 1 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1955 |
Faircloth began his career as a political consultant to Senator Kerr Scott and Governor Terry Sanford. He was appointed to the state highway commission during Sanford's tenure and served as its chairman from 1969 to 1973. He then served as North Carolina Secretary of Commerce before unsuccessfully running for governor in 1984. In 1991, Faircloth switched parties and became a Republican. He won the Republican nomination for the 1992 U.S. Senate election and defeated incumbent Senator Terry Sanford, his former boss, in the general election.
As a Senator, Faircloth staunchly criticized President Bill Clinton and was a prominent figure in the Senate Whitewater investigations. He was also critical of first lady Hillary Clinton and called on her to testify in front on Congress. In 1997, Faircloth came to national attention after he stripped Washington, D.C. mayor Marion Barry of his powers to deal with a large deficit. His decision angered Barry and led to D.C. residents marching to North Carolina to protest.
Faircloth ran for reelection in 1998, losing to Democrat John Edwards in the general election.