1982 Arkansas gubernatorial election
The Arkansas gubernatorial election of 1982 was the second since Reconstruction in which an incumbent was defeated; the preceding election was the first. One-term Democratic Governor of Arkansas Bill Clinton regained the position after having narrowly been defeated by Republican Frank D. White at the previous election. Clinton eventually continued to serve this office until he was later elected President in 1992.
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County Results
Clinton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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Elections in Arkansas | ||||||||||
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Democratic nomination
- Gov. Bill Clinton, Governor of Arkansas 1979-1981
- Lt. Governor Joe Purcell, former Acting Governor of Arkansas, 1979, former Lieutenant Governor 1975-1981
Republican nomination
Frank D. White – Incumbent Governor
Campaign
Bill Clinton, one of the youngest ex-governors in the nation, at the age of 36, was running to reclaim his political career. Frank White easily won renomination from the Republican party.
White was hurt politically due to several unpopular decisions that he made, and Clinton ran an aggressive campaign.[1]
Result
Bill Clinton, who was defeated in the last election, won the election, and elected again in 1984, 1986, and 1990, until his presidential victory in November 1992.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
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Democratic | Bill Clinton | 431,855 | 54.71% | +6.64% | |
Republican | Frank D. White (incumbent) | 357,496 | 45.29% | -6.64% | |
Total votes | 789,351 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
References
- Dillard, Tom W. "Frank Durward White (1933–2003)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
- "1982 Arkansas Elections" (PDF). Arkansas Secretary of State. May 1983. Retrieved October 29, 2016.