(RALEIGH) -- The first African-American elected to statewide office in North Carolina has died. Former state auditor Ralph Campbell passed away Tuesday night. Campbell was first elected as auditor in 1992, where he served three terms.

Democratic political consultant Brad Crone said Campbell was a definitely a trend setter when it comes to North Carolina politics. "He came from a family that emphasized break the mold and setting new agendas and he followed in the footsteps of his father and his brother and blazed a trail that will be recorded very positively in North Carolina's history books," said Crone.

Campbell had been battling lung cancer. He was 64.