In 1984, he defeated state House Speaker Carl J. Stewart, Jr. in a hard-fought Democratic primary, then defeated Republican John H. Carrington in the general election to become North Carolina's 29th lieutenant governor.
In 1984, he triumphed over state House Speaker Carl J. Stewart, Jr., in a fierce Democratic primary contest; subsequently, he defeated Republican John H. Carrington in the general election to become North Carolina's 29th lieutenant governor.