In this file photograph from Oct. 19, 1976, in Winston-Salem, Salisbury Post photographer Jim Barringer caught Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter, left, thanking N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Jim Graham, a Rowan County native, for his trademark donkey bray during a Democratic rally which drew some of the state’s biggest political figures to the Benton Convention Center. At far left is Lt. Gov. Jimmy Green, and immediately left and behind Carter is Gov. Jim Hunt. U.S. Rep. Steve Neal is between Carter and Graham. Attorney Gen. Rufus Edmisten is right of Graham. About 7,000 people attended the rally. Within two weeks, Carter would be elected president over Republican President Gerald Ford.