Robert Rector, a longtime Republican activist, who presided over North Carolina's last Electoral College, has died.

Rector, 63, a political science and history professor at Louisburg College, was active in the state GOP for 30 years. He presided over the Electoral College in 2004 which cast its ballots helping re-elect President Bush, Rob Christensen reports.

He created the N.C. County Chairman's Association and traveled across the state training activists and candidates. He is a member of the N.C. GOP Hall of Fame and was honored with the James T. Broyhill Award.

"Through his mentorship of younger Republicans, he was able to pass along the wisdom and tools for a new generation of committed conservatives," said Linda Daves, the state chair in a statement.

State Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton won the straw poll over the weekend among party activists who attended the N.C. Republican Party's annual GOP Hall of Fame dinner in Cary.

Smith had 127 votes, former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr had 46 votes, and Salisbury attorney Bill Graham had 30 votes in unscientific poll of who the party loyalists liked in the Republican governor primary, reports Rob Christensen.

Winner of the Charles Jonas Award was U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick of Charlotte, the J.E. Broyhill Award winner was Robert Rector and the John East Memorial Award went to John Hawkins Sr.

Inducted into the GOP Hall of Fame were Betty Jo Shepheard, John Edwards, Nancy Cleveland, William W. Cobey Theresa Esposito, Litchard Hurley, Betty Lapish, Mary Frances Forrester, Duward Clarke, Joe Lee Morgan, Julius Ceasar Cousar, and Nacy Mazza.