1984 Arkansas gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1982 United States gubernatorial elections.

1984 Arkansas gubernatorial election

←  1982 November 6, 1984 1986  →

Nominee Bill Clinton Woody Freeman Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 554,561 331,987 Percentage 62.55% 37.45%

County results Clinton:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Freeman:     50–60%

Governor before election Bill Clinton Democratic Elected Governor Bill Clinton Democratic

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 primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Bill Clinton (incumbent)	317,214	64.43
	Democratic	Lonnie Turner	119,264	24.23
	Democratic	Kermit Moss	31,727	6.44
	Democratic	Monroe Schwarzlose	24,116	4.90
Total votes			492,321	100.00

Democratic nominee

• Bill Clinton, incumbent Governor

Republican primary

Republican primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Woody Freeman	13,030	68.48
	Republican	Erwin Davis	6,010	31.57
Total votes

Republican Nominee

• Woody Freeman, businessman

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. ^[4] Freeman attacked Clinton on not focusing on economic issues, pledging not to raise taxes and running the state government more like a business. ^[5] 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." ^[6] 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." ^[7]

Result

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1984 ^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Bill Clinton (incumbent)	554,561	62.55%	+7.84%
	Republican	Woody Freeman	331,987	37.45%	−7.84%
Total votes			886,548	100.00
	Democratic hold

See also

• United States presidential election in Arkansas, 1984

References

1. "Constitution Of The State Of Arkansas Of 1874 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARKANSAS OF 1874" (PDF). sos.arkansas.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 9, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
2. "AR Governor - D Primary". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
3. "AR Governor - R Primary". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 9, 2006.
4. "Bill Clinton Political Career". cnn.com. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
5. "1984 Governor's Race". clintonhousemuseum.com. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013.
6. "Remarks at a Reagan-Bush Rally in Little Rock, Arkansas". utexas.edu. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
7. "1984 Governor's Race". clintonhousemuseum.com. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013.
8. "AR Governor - R Primary". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 9, 2006.