1968 Arkansas gubernatorial election

1968 Arkansas gubernatorial election
	County results; Rockefeller: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%; Crank: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80%
Governor before election; Winthrop Rockefeller ; Republican	Elected Governor; Winthrop Rockefeller ; Republican

Last updated September 10, 2025

The 1968 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held in the U.S. state on November 5, when incumbent Republican Winthrop Rockefeller defeated former speaker^[1] of the Arkansas House of Representatives Marion Crank by a small margin. Rockefeller was first elected in 1966, and was the first Republican to hold the office since Reconstruction. This was the first time a Republican was re-elected as governor of Arkansas.

Background

Probably due to the crowded Democratic primary and allegations of nepotism cast upon Crank,^[2] aided by the recent full enfranchisement of African Americans who supported Rockefeller and his liberal reforms Rockefeller prevailed with a clear majority, though a reduced one, compared to his 1966 margin.

Virginia Johnson was the wife of former Arkansas Supreme Court Justice James D. Johnson who, concurrently with her candidacy, unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination against J. William Fulbright in the Senate election.

Democratic primary

Candidates:

Marion H. Crank, state representative, former house speaker, and president of Foreman Cement Company
Virginia Johnson, legal secretary and wife of James D. "Justice Jim" Johnson, Democratic nominee for governor in 1966
Ted Boswell, attorney
Bruce Bennett, former attorney general
Frank Whitbeck, insurance executive
Clyde Byrd, state senator

Arkansas Democratic primary
	Candidate	Votes	%
Democratic	Marion H. Crank	106,092	25.57
Democratic	Virginia Johnson	86,038	20.74
Democratic	Ted Boswell	86,629	20.64
Democratic	Bruce Bennett	65,095	15.69
Democratic	Frank Whitbeck	61,758	14.89
Democratic	Clyde E. Byrd	10,265	2.47

Runoff

Arkansas Democratic primary runoff
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Marion H. Crank	215,087	63.27
	Democratic	Virginia Johnson	124,880	36.73

Election results

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1968
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Winthrop Rockefeller (incumbent)	322,782	52.43	−1.93%
	Democratic	Marion Crank	292,813	47.57	+1.93%
Total votes			615,595	100.00

References

↑ "Speaker Archive - Arkansas House of Representatives".
↑ Arkansas Politics in the 20th Century: Twelve Elections That Shaped a Century: Darth, Dumas, p. 51

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[1] "Speaker Archive - Arkansas House of Representatives".

[2] Arkansas Politics in the 20th Century: Twelve Elections That Shaped a Century: Darth, Dumas, p. 51

[1]

[2]

v t e Elections in Arkansas
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'S,' denotes special election; 'U,' denotes election under Federal (Union) military occupation See also: Political party strength in Arkansas

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