Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1978
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1976 ←
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November 4, 1980
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→ 1980
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The Arkansas gubernatorial election of 1978, held on November 7, was the first time that future President of the United States Bill Clinton was elected Governor of Arkansas.
[edit] Democratic nomination
At this time, one gubernatorial term was two years. Incumbent two-term Democratic Governor David Pryor decided to not seek re-election in order to run for the United States Senate, as his predecessor and future Senate colleague Dale Bumpers did.[1]
Candidates:
Clinton, a former assistant to U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright and since 1977 the state Attorney General, won the nomination easily.
- Clinton - 341,118 (59.55%)
- Woodward - 123,674 (21.59%)
- Lady - 76,026 (13.27%)
- Mathis - 26,096 (4.56%)
- Schwarzlose - 5,898 (1.03%)
- Nabozny - 632 (.009%)
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Joe Purcell was renominated for the second spot.
[edit] Republican nomination
A. Lynn Lowe, a Texarkana farmer, who served as state Republican Party chairman from 1974-1980, was unopposed for the 1978 gubernatorial nomination. He had also been the Republican nominee for Arkansas's 4th congressional district seat in 1966.
[edit] Election result
Clinton won easily.[2]
Clinton also led in fundraising. His campaign budget combined $709,234.00 while Lynn's was $171,382.[2]
Clinton, at the age of thirty-two, became the youngest Arkansas governor, the youngest governor in the United States since Harold E. Stassen won in Minnesota in 1938 at the age of thirty-one, and the youngest governor in nation at this time. In 1992 he was elected third-youngest U.S. President.
[edit] References
