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NC US President - R Primary

RACE DETAILS

Parents

> United States > North Carolina > President

Parent Race

US President - R Primaries

Office

President

Honorific

President - Abbr: President

Type

Republican Primary Election

Filing Deadline

00, 1976 - 12:00pm Central

Polls Open

March 23, 1976 - 12:00am Central

Polls Close

March 23, 1976 - 12:00pm Central

Term Start

January 20, 1977 - 12:00pm

Term End

January 20, 1981 - 12:00pm

Contributor

Thomas Walker

Last Modified

RBH January 22, 2020 02:15pm

Data Sources

North Carolina Manual 1977

Description

The Presidential preference primary in North Carolina in 1976 was one of the most important of the year.

President Ford had carried every state which held a primary before North Carolina, often by unexpected margins. In North Carolina, the division between the traditional business Republicans and the ex-Dixiecrats was exacerbated. Governor James Holshouser, the leader of the moderate faction, endorsed Ford and campaigned for him. U.S. Senator Jesse Helms was the chief proponent of Reagan.

Reagan won a narrow but significant victory in the primary. The primary determined the first ballot vote of the delegates, who were selected in conventions separately. At the state convention, Gov. Holshouser was denied a seat as delegate to the national convention in an unfortunate and unnecessary decision.

Reagan's victory in North Carolina led to a substantial infusion of cash into his campaign, which was struggling financially. This victory made it possible for Reagan to pursue his candidacy all the way to the national convention.