New in the collection: Sam Ervin’s first campaign poster

Campaign poster for Sam Ervin Jr for Solicitor

 

“Ervin got his first taste of corrupt politics in 1926 when he ran for district solicitor, the equivalent in most states of prosecutor. It was the first time he had sought elective office on his own, and the only time he was ever beaten. It was apparent to Ervin’s supporters that he lost the election to L. S. Sperling of nearby Lenoir because the ballot boxes in Caldwell County had been tampered with….”

— From “Just a Country Lawyer: A Biography of Senator Sam Ervin” by Paul R. Clancy (1974)

I obtained this poster many years ago from Senator Sam’s grandson, Superior Court Judge Robert C. Ervin.