It’s one of my favorite political trivia questions: In 1972, George McGovern carried only two of North Carolina’s 100 counties against Richard Nixon. What are the two counties?

Most people can guess Orange (Chapel Hill). But few guess the other: Northampton County in northeast North Carolina.

Sonny Boy Joyner was the man responsible. He put together a coalition of whites and blacks to carry the county for the Democrats, like he did for decades in politics.

Sonny Boy died this week. An old style of politics died with him.

Sonny Boy was pre-TV spots, direct mail and the Internet. His politics was people. Face to face. Door to door.

He was a master of it.

Like his name suggested, he was a country boy. All smiles and laughter. Pumping everybody for political gossip. Pounding on people in Raleigh to get things done for his neighbors.

He was one of Jim Hunt’s original keys. He was one of Terry Sanford’s original keys. In fact, he’s the man who famously put up Terry and Lauch Faircloth in the same bed – back before they fell out.

A lot of Democrats – and a lot of people in northeastern North Carolina – owe a lot to Sonny.

Personally, I owe him everything. Critics call his kind of politics patronage. Maybe so. But here’s what I know: Some friends of Sonny’s from Jackson down the road had a daughter graduating from Carolina. She was looking for a job. Sonny Boy made some calls and lined her up an entry-level position in Governor Hunt’s office. That’s where I met her, and we were married two years later.

So, Sonny, here’s a big thank-you from Gary, Gwyn, James and Maggie. We wouldn’t be here without you.

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