Changes

In 1895, the Fusionist-led North Carolina legislature elected Pritchard to the state's Class III Senate seat to finish the incomplete term left upon the death of Zebulon B. Vance.<ref name=ncpedia>Morgan, Joe L. (1994). [https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/pritchard-jeter-conley Pritchard, Jeter Conley]. ''NCPedia''. Retrieved September 29, 2021.</ref> Due to Jim Crow disenfranchisement of black voters following the end of [[Reconstruction]], he was one of the few congressional Southern Republicans remaining. President [[William McKinley]] often consulted with Pritchard on matters pertaining to [[the South]].<ref name=ncpedia/>

In 1895, the Fusionist-led North Carolina legislature elected Pritchard to the state's Class III Senate seat to finish the incomplete term left upon the death of Zebulon B. Vance.<ref name=ncpedia>Morgan, Joe L. (1994). [https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/pritchard-jeter-conley Pritchard, Jeter Conley]. ''NCPedia''. Retrieved September 29, 2021.</ref> Due to Jim Crow disenfranchisement of black voters following the end of [[Reconstruction]], he was one of the few congressional Southern Republicans remaining. President [[William McKinley]] often consulted with Pritchard on matters pertaining to [[the South]].<ref name=ncpedia/>

As white supremacist Democratic Party terrorism (particularly the "Red Shirts") was prevalent in the South, Pritchard in 1898 requested President Kinley send federal troops to safeguard black voting rights amidst Jim Crow threats and intimidation.<ref>Fascinating Politics (September 29, 2021). [https://fascinatingpolitics.com/2021/09/29/the-republican-families-of-old-north-carolina/ The Republican Families of Old North Carolina]. ''Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History''. Retrieved September 29, 2021.</ref> McKinley did not do so, and the following widespread voter suppression resulted in sweeping general election victories for the Democratic Party. The Wilmington insurrection subsequently broke out, which resulted in the murders of many blacks in the city.

Although Pritchard held a [[conservative]] voting record and Populist leader Marion P. Butler was considered a [[progressive]], the two managed to form a strong political coalition which controlled state politics for some time before being overthrown by white supremacist Democrats.<ref name=fascinatingpolitics>Fascinating Politics (September 29, 2021). [https://fascinatingpolitics.com/2021/09/29/the-republican-families-of-old-north-carolina/ The Republican Families of Old North Carolina]. ''Mad Politics: The Bizarre, Fascinating, and Unknown of American Political History''. Retrieved September 29, 2021.</ref>

 

As white supremacist Democratic Party terrorism (particularly the "Red Shirts") was prevalent in the South, Pritchard in 1898 requested President Kinley send federal troops to safeguard black voting rights amidst Jim Crow threats and intimidation.<ref name=fascinatingpolitics/> McKinley did not do so, and the following widespread voter suppression resulted in sweeping general election victories for the Democratic Party. The Wilmington insurrection subsequently broke out, which resulted in the murders of many blacks in the city.

Due to the Democratic Party fully taking over statewide party politics, Pritchard did not run for re-election, knowing he would not be re-elected to another Senate term by the new Jim Crow-dominated state legislature.<ref group=note>Prior to the passage of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, United States senators were picked by state legislatures rather than elected by popular vote.</ref>

Due to the Democratic Party fully taking over statewide party politics, Pritchard did not run for re-election, knowing he would not be re-elected to another Senate term by the new Jim Crow-dominated state legislature.<ref group=note>Prior to the passage of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, United States senators were picked by state legislatures rather than elected by popular vote.</ref>