Finding Aid for the Ruby T. Hooper Collection, 1991 - 1992, PC.1932
Abstract
Ruby Thompson Hooper ran unsuccessful political campaigns for selection as a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Burke County, N.C. in 1982, and for nomination as her party's gubernatorial candidate in 1984. She was appointed deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Human Resources by Governor James Martin when he took office in 1985. Mrs. Hooper resigned this position at the end of June 1991 to seek again the nomination as the Republican gubernatorial candidate. Her campaign was overshadowed by Lt. Gov. James C. Gardner, seeking the same nomination. The collection consists of 272 items pertaining to Mrs. Hooper's campaign, all dating from 1991-1992.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Ruby T. Hooper Collection
- Call Number
- PC.1932
- Creator
- Hooper, Ruby T.
- Date
- 1991 - 1992
- Extent
- 272.00 items
- Language
- English
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.1914, Ruby T. Hooper Collection, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Biographical Note
Ruby Thompson Hooper was educated at Saluda High School (1941), Mars Hill College (1943), and Woman's College, now UNC-G (1945). Having studied home economics, she pursued a career in food and dietary services at various large state institutions in North Carolina. Following unsuccessful campaigns for election as a Republican member of the House of Representatives from Burke County in 1982, and for nomination as her party's gubernatorial candidate in 1984, Mrs. Hooper was appointed deputy secretary of the Department of Human Resources by Gov. Martin when he took office in 1985. She resigned this position at the end of June 1991 to seek once more nomination as the Republican gubernatorial candidate, in opposition to Lt. Gov. James C. Gardner's campaign for the same nomination.
The 1991/92 primary campaigns were dominated by former governor James B.Hunt (Democrat) and Lt. Gov. Gardner (Republican), both of whom had state-wide name recognition, large and full campaign treasuries, and considerable experience in election strategy. By contrast, Mrs. Hooper was but little known outside a small area in the western part of the state, had no moneyto speak of, and was never able to raise the popular support on which she counted. Her campaign was completely overshadowed. Gardner, her rival, won 90%, of the Republican primary vote and became the party's gubernatorial candidate.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Gift, Mrs. Hooper, Morganton, N.C., to the Museum of History;transferred by the Museum to the Archives in 1999.