Politicking, North Carolina Style

From now until November 4, we are going to share with our readers some of the political ephemera and memorabilia that the NC Collection collects and maintains. Today’s feature is a pamphlet from the 1968 Democratic primary race for lieutenant governor, which featured the first female candidate for that position, Margaret Harper. Prior to running, Harper was a businesswoman and newspaper administrator, serving as the editor of the The State Port Pilot while her husband was in the military during World War II. Though she did not receive the nomination, Harper did win 23 percent of the vote. She tried again and lost again in 1972…this time garnering 20 percent of the vote.