Ralph Campbell Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Ralph Campbell Jr., date unknown | |
| 15th State Auditor of North Carolina | |
| In office January 9, 1993 – January 15, 2005 | |
| Governor | Jim Hunt Mike Easley |
| Preceded by | Edward Renfrow |
| Succeeded by | Leslie W. Merritt Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ralph Campbell Jr. December 7, 1946 Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | January 11, 2011 (aged 64) Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | St. Augustine's College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  Army Reserve |
| Years of service | 1971–1977 |
Ralph Campbell Jr. (December 7, 1946 – January 11, 2011) was an American politician and auditor who served as the North Carolina State Auditor from 1993 to 2005. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American to hold statewide elected executive office in North Carolina. Campbell was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, and he attended St. Augustine's College. He graduated with a degree in business administration in 1968, and served in the United States Army Reserve from 1971 until 1977. After leaving the reserve, he worked various government jobs before being elected to the Raleigh City Council in 1985.
In 1992, Campbell ran for North Carolina State Auditor and was elected, defeating Republican Vernon Abernethy. Taking office in January 1993, he equipped office staff with desktop computers and field auditors with laptop computers during his first term and pushed for the implementation of an entirely digital auditing system. Campbell conducted several high-profile audits during his tenure, occasionally annoying government workers and other Democrats. Re-elected in 1996 and 2000, he lost a bid for a fourth term to Republican Les Merritt. Leaving office in 2005, Campbell worked as a consultant and served as treasurer of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Campbell was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010, and he died the following year.