Culbertson, John Bolt

Campaign for U.S. Senate, 1968 In 1968, Hollings defeated primary challenger John Bolt Culbertson, a labor lawyer from Greenville who had served one term in the S.C. House twenty years earlier. In the general election, Hollings again faced Republican Marshall Parker and won with approximately 61 percent of the vote. Though the election went smoothly for Hollings, news broke during the campaign that prior to his winning the Senate race in 1966, Hollings was approached by Republican Party members about his future with the Democratic Party. In a meeting requested by Mrs. Francis Dougherty, a Republican candidate for mayor in Charleston, Hollings was asked if he ―would be interested 'in joining the GOP. The transcript also states that Hollings was told by Arthur Ravenel, Jr. that ―money is no object. We don't care if it costs a half million dollars….'

Only two feet of material document this campaign. Of particular interest are letters written by George Croffead, a leader in the Greek community in Charleston, and a letter written by A.G. Hollings, the Senator's brother. Each letter was written as a part of the letter writing campaign that Hollings' used in the election. Finance files contain information on events, such as the Appreciation Dinner held in Hollings' honor in February, 1968, information on contributors, and thank-you notes to donors. Hollings utilized polling in his campaign. Two polls were conducted in January and July, 1968. Topical contains the transcript mentioned above detailing a meeting between Hollings and members of the Republican Party.