This became evident in the 1988 U.S. Presidential election when Jesse Jackson, a black civil rights activist from Greenville, was chosen by South Carolina Democrats as their nominee for president.

His nomination hastened the exodus of whites from the Democratic Party,[1] but it also gave hope to blacks across the state that they could win a statewide office.

[2] As a result of the apathy of the voters and the declining participation of whites, turnout was light for the state Democratic primary on June 12.

[2] The proposals made by Mitchell for the election were: Governor Campbell stressed throughout the campaign his achievements in office, such as his leadership during Hurricane Hugo and his role in luring BMW to build a manufacturing plant in Greer.

Political commentators said that the huge loss was a result of Mitchell's combative style and his inability to curry support from the white power brokers of the Democratic Party.

Mitchell had to travel by van for long hours to campaign functions and carry his own lectern whereas Campbell and his entourage traversed the state in two planes.