Career
Before his Senate service, Faircloth was a prominent and wealthy hog farmer. One impetus for his political activism was his disagreement with the increasing regulations targeting large hog farming operations such as his, fueled by an environmentalist and populist backlash. An early supporter of Terry Sanford"s 1960 gubernatorial bid, Sanford rewarded him with an appointment to the state highway commission.
After helping Robert West. Scott in his bid for the governorship in 1968, Scott named Faircloth chairman of the commission, and he later went on to serve as Secretary of Commerce during Jim Hunt"s time as governor.
Faircloth aspired to the governor"s office himself, but was defeated in the Democratic primary in 1984. He also considered running for the Senate seat being vacated by Senator John East in 1986, but was discouraged by the entry of Sanford, the eventual victor, into the race.
Enjoying the support of Senator Jesse Helms"s political organization, Faircloth defeated Charlotte mayor Sue Myrick and former congressman Walter East. Johnston, III in the primary. Faircloth served a single term from 1993-1999.
He once joked that he wanted to be known as the conservative senator from North Carolina.
In comparison to the state"s other seat held by the arch-conservative Helms. Campaigning for reelection in 1998, Fairchild lost to Democrat John Edwards. Despite originally being the marginal favorite, Faircloth was beaten by Edwards by 51.2% to 47.0%—a margin of some 83,000 votes.
That night, Washington, District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry, with whom Faircloth had had longstanding disagreements about home rule issues, said Faircloth had been "so busy picking on me and the residents of the District of Columbia that he neglected his constituents in North Carolina.
Now he can go back and deal with the pigs. Goodbye, Faircloth."
• Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 1992, Bruce Kimball received 23 votes and Mary Ann Zakutney received 13 votes.