J. William Copeland

[1] He managed the Hertford County branch of Alton Lennon's 1952 U.S. Senate campaign and served as a delegate at the 1956 Democratic National Convention.

Narrowly reelected in 1956, he became a steady backer of Governor Luther H. Hodges in 1957, who eventually appointed Copeland to the State Advisory Budget Commission.

Sanford ultimately won the race[3] and sought to enact a legislative program including major increases in spending on public education.

[5] Sanford had served with Copeland during the 1953 session and sparred with him on a budgetary matter, and figured he could be an influential and knowledgeable asset as the governor's legislative liaison.

[3] After the 1961 legislative session closed, the governor rewarded Copeland for his work by appointing him as a special judge on the North Carolina Superior Court.