GOP activist Rector dies

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.