1984 Arkansas gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1984 Arkansas gubernatorial election
Country:Arkansas
Flag Year:1924
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1982 Arkansas gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1982
Next Election:1986 Arkansas gubernatorial election
Next Year:1986
Election Date:November 6, 1984
Image1:File:Gov. Bill Clinton 1983 (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Bill Clinton
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:554,561
Percentage1:62.55%
Nominee2:Woody Freeman
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:331,987
Percentage2:37.45%
Map Size:210px
Governor
Before Election:Bill Clinton
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Bill Clinton
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 1984 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1984. Incumbent Governor Bill Clinton won reelection with a 25% margin of victory over Jonesboro businessman Woody Freeman. This was the last gubernatorial election in Arkansas before the implementation of Amendment 63, lengthening the term of the governor of Arkansas from two to four years.[1] Winning his third of five terms as Governor of Arkansas, Clinton continued to serve this office until shortly after he was elected to the presidency in 1992.

Democratic primary

Democratic nominee

Republican primary

Republican Nominee

Campaign

During Governor Clinton's reelection campaign, he pointed to efforts in pushing through strong education reform including competency tests for new and working teachers and raising pay for most of Arkansas teachers, using anger from the Arkansas teachers’ unions to his advantage.[2] Freeman attacked Clinton on not focusing on economic issues, pledging not to raise taxes and running the state government more like a business.[3] Freeman saw some high profile visits from prominent Republicans, including then President Ronald Reagan, who campaigned for Freeman. During a rally for the Reagan/Bush reelection campaign just days before election day Reagan told an audience, "Please send Woody Freeman to the Statehouse."[4] Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger also campaigned for Freeman during the election but seemed to have little of substance to offer the Arkansas candidate, and Governor Clinton on the campaign trail attacked the visit saying that, "I hope Mr. Kissinger tells us everything he knows about what Arkansas needs, and I hope my opponent tells Mr. Kissinger everything he knows about what Arkansas needs in a utility contractor."[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Constitution Of The State Of Arkansas Of 1874 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARKANSAS OF 1874 . sos.arkansas.gov . 12 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160809015101/http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/documents/constitution%202011%20amendments.pdf . 2016-08-09 . dead .
  2. Web site: Bill Clinton Political Career . cnn.com . 22 January 2019 .
  3. Web site: 1984 Governor's Race . https://archive.today/20130119100023/http://www.clintonhousemuseum.com/index.php/learn/clintons-timeline/116-1984-governors-race . dead . January 19, 2013 . clintonhousemuseum.com . December 11, 2012 .
  4. Web site: Remarks at a Reagan-Bush Rally in Little Rock, Arkansas . https://web.archive.org/web/20110622014854/http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1984/110384b.htm . 22 June 2011 . utexas.edu . 22 January 2019 .
  5. Web site: 1984 Governor's Race . https://archive.today/20130119100023/http://www.clintonhousemuseum.com/index.php/learn/clintons-timeline/116-1984-governors-race . dead . January 19, 2013 . clintonhousemuseum.com . December 11, 2012 .