reconcile the factions in the early 1970s had failed. Following his election, Finch pledged to reunite the two blocs. The factions reached a compromise, whereby a white Regular and a black Loyalist would serve together as co-chairs of the party executive committee. While still governor, Finch ran for the United States Senate in 1978, but he was defeated in the Democratic party primary by Maurice Dantin, who then lost in the general election to the Republican U.S. Representative Thad Cochran. Some critics accused him of neglecting his gubernatorial responsibilities in favor of advancing his own career. He left gubernatorial office on January 22, 1980. Presidential campaign After leaving office, Finch declared his candidacy in the 1980 Democratic presidential primaries against incumbent U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Entering the campaign shortly before the New Hampshire presidential primary, he failed to secure the 1,000 signatures needed before the filing deadline to have his name placed on the ballot and declared that he would be a write-in candidate. Garnering almost no national traction, he withdrew his candidacy in June. Later life Finch resumed practicing law following his exit from politics. He died on April 22, 1986, at his law office in Batesville, Mississippi after a massive heart attack. He was subsequently buried at the Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville. Historian Chris Danielson wrote, "The fusion of the white and black wings of the state Democratic Party was Finch's greatest legacy. This action integrated and modernized the state Democrats and finally led to a shedding of the party's segregationist past." References Works cited External links 1927 births 1986 deaths Candidates in the 1980 United States presidential election 20th-century American lawyers 20th-century American politicians United States Army personnel of World War II Democratic Party governors of Mississippi District attorneys in Mississippi Democratic Party members of the Mississippi House of Representatives Military personnel from Mississippi People from Batesville, Mississippi United States Army soldiers University of Mississippi alumni University of Mississippi School of Law alumni Candidates in the 1978 United States elections