1982 Arkansas gubernatorial election

The Arkansas gubernatorial election of 1982. 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.

1982 Arkansas gubernatorial election

November 2, 1982

Nominee Bill Clinton Frank D. White Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 431,855 357,496 Percentage 54.71% 45.29%

County Results Clinton:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% White:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Frank D. White Republican Elected Governor Bill Clinton Democratic

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.

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1982[2]^(p36)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	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

1. Dillard, Tom W. "Frank Durward White (1933–2003)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
2. "1982 Arkansas Elections" (PDF). Arkansas Secretary of State. May 1983. Retrieved October 29, 2016.