With Lee Atwater as a key political strategist, he made an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina in 1974, losing to Democrat Brantley Harvey; despite the loss Campbell would continue to seek Atwater's counsel throughout his career.
With Lee Atwater as a key political strategist, he made an unsuccessful bid for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina in 1974 on the successful ticket headed by Repubican James B. Edwards of Charleston. Campbell lost to the Democrat Brantley Harvey; despite the loss Campbell would continue to seek Atwater's counsel throughout his career.