Paul Kirk, who was named Thursday as the late Ted Kennedy's replacement in the U.S. Senate, once defeated North Carolina's Terry Sanford in the race for Democratic National Committee chairman.
Kirk, a former Kennedy aide, was the frontrunner to become party chairman in 1985, when Sanford entered the race, reports Rob Christensen.
At the time, Sanford was nearing the end of his tenure as president of Duke University. But he was political veteran, having served as North Carolina governor (1961-65) and having run for president in 1972 and 1976.
Sanford tried to put together a coalition of Southern and western Democratic party chairs.
"A great many people in the South feel it is time for the Southern Democratic Party to exert greater national leadership," Sanford said. "The Democratic party cannot do without a strong base in the South."
More after the jump.
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But Sanford started late and could not overcome Kirk's strong support from organized labor and others. Near the end, two other candidates, including California Democratic chairwoman Nancy Pelosi, threw their support to Sanford to try to stop Kirk.
Pelosi, who is now speaker of the U.S. House, nominated Sanford. Kirk defeated Sanford, 203-150.
The next year, Sanford bounced back by winning election to the U.S. Senate from North Carolina, defeating Republican Jim Broyhill.
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