Tom Campbell Receives Order of the Henry Clay Oak | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

NC Hall of Fame Broadcaster recognized for principled service to North Carolina

    RALEIGH     Legendary NC SPIN moderator and executive producer Tom Campbell received the Order of the Henry Clay Oak Monday, May 1. He joins a small but notable community of fellow recipients, including former Secretary of State and Attorney General Rufus Edmisten, former Lt. Gov. Jim Gardner and the late Gov. J. Melville Broughton.

    "Henry Clay, from Kentucky, was a statesman at a time of great unrest in this country. His letter, written in Raleigh, essentially ended his political career, however his desire for thoughtful, balanced consideration about issues facing our nation was more important to him than winning the presidency. For that reason this recognition is especially meaningful to me. I am humbled and honored to be considered among those who seek to hear many voices in balanced debate for the Old North State," Campbell said.

    An award steeped in state and American history: the Oak is famous as the place Henry Clay wrote his 1844 "Raleigh Letter" opposing the annexation of Texas. During a time of high political volume, the letter angered both sides of the political spectrum. Many historians believe that Clay's presidential run stymied after penning the letter, angering both factions: the North because he opposed annexation because he didn't want to go to war; and the South, as Texas, if annexed, would become a slave state.

    Campbell is the creator, moderator and executive producer of NC SPIN, the longest running and most trusted political program in North Carolina. A second generation broadcaster, Campbell has more than 45 years of broadcasting experience, including working for his family's broadcasting business for almost 25 years. Prior to the creation of NC SPIN, Campbell served as assistant treasurer of the State of North Carolina. He was the licensee for WRAZ-TV , "Fox 50," in the Raleigh-Durham market and co-founder of The Family Business Institute, a consulting firm for family and closely held companies. Campbell writes a weekly column that's included on many opinion pages and you can often hear him on talk radio shows throughout North Carolina.


    The event is one of the most popular for the Forrest's office, with roughly 100 friends in attendance. Guests enjoyed Moon Pies and RC Colas, and Henry Clay cigars were distributed as well.

    Commenting on the selection of Campbell for the award, Lt. Gov. Dan Forrest said, "Each year we induct one North Carolinian into the Order of the Henry Clay Oak. That person must have demonstrated a steadfast holding to their principles and a dedication of their life in service to the State of North Carolina. Tom Campbell certainly meets those criteria and it is an honor to award him with this recognition."

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