Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1984

Arkansas gubernatorial election, 1984

November 6, 1984

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

Election results by county

Governor before election Bill Clinton Democratic Elected Governor Bill Clinton Democratic

Elections in Arkansas
Federal government Presidential elections 1836 1840 1844 1848 1852 1856 1860 1868 1872 1876 1880 1884 1888 1892 1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 Presidential primaries Democratic 2008 Republican 2008 2012 U.S. Senate elections 1980 1984 1986 1990 1992 1996 1998 2002 2004 2008 2010 2014 2016 U.S. House elections 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 Special elections to U.S. Congress 3rd District, 2001
State government Gubernatorial elections 1966 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 State elections 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014
Ballot measures 2004 Constitutional Amendment 3 2008 Proposed Initiative Act No. 1

The Arkansas gubernatorial election of 1984 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 President of the United States in 1992.

Democratic primary

Democratic nominee

• Bill Clinton, incumbent Governor

Republican primary

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

References

Arkansas gubernatorial elections (1966-present)
1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014