Helms is a legend. Sadly today’s NC wouldn’t be able to elect him. Helms retired largely because of his age, and also Rove felt Helms portrayed a negative image of the GOP. Thus, Helms was encouraged to retire, while Bill Frist and Rove begged Liddy Dole to replace Helms.
If Helms had run again, he’d have died before the completion of his term (and Easley would’ve appointed a Dem). Of course, Dole was a disaster. She’d been too far gone as a Beltway Insider before she ever made it to the Senate. I can’t name anyone who would begin to fill Helms’s shoes. I had hopes for Burr, but he’s been a disappointment.