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Upon taking office in 1971, Heller [[Segregation|desegregated]] all municipal departments and commissions. In 1975, he created the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, an annual event for those of all faiths.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://library.furman.edu/specialcollections/southcarolina/heller_biography.htm|title=Max Heller Biography|publisher=Furman University|accessdate=May 20, 2014}}</ref>

Upon taking office in 1971, Heller [[Segregation|desegregated]] all municipal departments and commissions. In 1975, he created the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, an annual event for those of all faiths.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://library.furman.edu/specialcollections/southcarolina/heller_biography.htm|title=Max Heller Biography|publisher=Furman University|accessdate=May 20, 2014}}</ref>

   

   

In 1978, Heller won the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] nomination for South Carolina's 4th congressional district seat to succeed the retiring[James Robert Mann], but he was defeated by the [[Republican Party|Republican]] nominee Carroll A. Campbell, Jr., later the [[governor]] of South Carolina. Despite negative slurs cast against him in the congressional campaign, Heller remained amiable and charitable. Another friend, Champ Covington, said, "He had a rough go politically, but he never slapped back, he never got even, he never responded in a negative tone to anyone. ..."<ref name=tribute/>

In 1978, Heller won the [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] nomination for South Carolina's 4th congressional district seat to succeed the retiring James Robert Mann, but he was defeated by the [[Republican Party|Republican]] nominee Carroll Ashmore Campbell, Jr. (1940-2005), later the [[governor]] of South Carolina. Despite negative slurs cast against him in the congressional campaign, Heller remained amiable and charitable. Another friend, Champ Covington, said, "He had a rough go politically, but he never slapped back, he never got even, he never responded in a negative tone to anyone. ..."<ref name=tribute/>

   

   

The same month that Campbell became a congressman, Heller was appointed by newly elected Democratic Governor Richard Riley as the chairman of the State Development Board. In this position, Heller recruited such businesses as Michelin North America and Digital Computer. State business recruitment under Heller surpassed $1 billion.<ref name=tribute/> Heller pursued industrial diversification; during his five years as chairman of the development board, more than 65,000 jobs were created statewide.<ref name=bio/>

The same month that Campbell became a congressman, Heller was appointed by newly elected Democratic Governor Richard Riley as the chairman of the State Development Board. In this position, Heller recruited such businesses as Michelin North America and Digital Computer. State business recruitment under Heller surpassed $1 billion.<ref name=tribute/> Heller pursued industrial diversification; during his five years as chairman of the development board, more than 65,000 jobs were created statewide.<ref name=bio/>