Helms would ultimately tie with Furnifold Simmons as North Carolina's longest-serving U.S Senator for a record of 30 years.

In the Democratic primary, Gantt defeated Charles Sanders, who was CEO of pharmaceutical company Glaxo.

[1][2] As a candidate, Gantt supported a balanced federal budget, a $10,000 tax deduction for the middle-class, while also pledging to defend Medicare and education funding.

Helms' campaign ads accused Gantt of being too socially liberal on issues such as gay rights and the death penalty.

A major issue in the campaign were proposals for tobacco regulation: Helms accused Gantt of supporting President Bill Clinton's efforts to regulate tobacco use, while Gantt broke with his party to criticize Clinton on the subject.