Incumbent two-term governor Elias Conway, member of the powerful Conway-Johnson family (known as "The Family") which had controlled Arkansas politics since creation of Arkansaw Territory, decided to retire from politics. His chosen successor, Richard H. Johnson, won a Democratic nomination heavily influenced by The Family. But Conway's first cousin and former Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme CourtHenry Rector challenged Johnson as an Independent Democrat and an "outsider" to the Family.[1] Though the candidates largely agreed on the issues, Johnson's defeat signaled the end of Family control of state politics.
Democratic convention
The Democratic Party of Arkansas was controlled by the Conway-Johnson family, which had dominated antebellum politics in the state. A state convention in the Arkansas House of Representatives began April 2, 1860. After five days of heated debate, Richard H. Johnson was nominated. Johnson was editor of the True Democrat newspaper, which had supported the Conway administration. Johnson also had the support of his elder brother, Robert W. Johnson, who Conway had appointed as United States Senator in 1855. Opponents resented the perpetuation of the Conway-Johnson dynasty.[2]
American party convention
On April 30, the American Party (successors to the Know Nothing movement), as well as a remaining group of Whigs met in Helena, Arkansas. The group passed resolutions opposing secession, endorsing the nominees to be announced at the 1860 Constitutional Union Convention, and nominating Thomas Hubbard, circuit court judge from Hempstead County, as the party's candidate for governor. Given the division created at the Democratic convention, many were optimistic about Hubbard's chances.[2]
Hindman committed his political operation to assist Rector, including newspapers and voting turnout organization, and giving speeches.[3]
General election
The election was described as "fratricidal war". Hindman's machine painted Rector, an aristocratic lawyer and planter, as the friend of the common man, usurping the position the Family had successfully adopted since Andrew Jackson and Jacksonian democracy. Campaign events and debates across the state provided a lively campaign to a voting public accustomed to the Family dictating winners.[4] Hubbard was often left out of the debates.[2] Johnson was a poor speaker, and there was little daylight between the candidates on the issues. Instead, the campaign was largely focused on personalities, the Family's highhanded selection of Johnson, and mudslinging. Both candidates agreed on Southern rights and the expansion of slavery into new territories, and both left Arkansas's secession from the United States on the table if necessary.[4]
The election took place on August 6, 1860, but it took two weeks to tabulate the final results.[5]Independent Democratic candidate Henry Massey Rector won the election by a margin of 3,079 votes against his opponent Democratic nominee Richard H. Johnson, thereby gaining Independent Democratic control over the office of Governor. Rector was sworn in as the 6th Governor of Arkansas on November 15, 1860.[6] The election marked the beginning of the end of Family influence in Arkansas politics.[5]
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