in politics Griffith has favored Democrats and recorded television commercials endorsing North Carolina Governors Mike Easley and Bev Perdue . http://www.youtube.com/v/_yExbmB9ND4?fs=1&hl=en_US He spoke at the inauguration ceremonies of both. In 1984, he declined an offer by Democratic party officials to run against Jesse Helms , a U.S. Senator from North Carolina.