1994 Arkansas gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1994 United States gubernatorial elections.

The 1994 Arkansas gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 1994, as a part of the United States gubernatorial elections, 1994.

1994 Arkansas gubernatorial election

November 8, 1994

Nominee Jim Guy Tucker Sheffield Nelson Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 428,936 287,904 Percentage 59.84% 40.16%

County results Tucker:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Nelson:      50–60%

Governor before election Jim Guy Tucker Democratic Elected Governor Jim Guy Tucker Democratic

Democratic nomination

Incumbent Democratic governor Jim Guy Tucker assumed the office after his predecessor, Bill Clinton, resigned in December 1992, after being elected President of the United States. Tucker decided to run for a full term. However, less than two years later, Tucker was forced to resign from the governorship due to his involvement in the Whitewater Scandal.

Republican nomination

Candidates

• State Senator Steve Luelf
• Businessman and 1990 nominee for governor Sheffield Nelson
• William L. Jones

Primary results (May 17):

• Nelson – 24,054 (50.80%)
• Luelf – 20,953 (44.25%)
• Jones – 2,346 (4.95%)

General election

Although the Republican Party made impressive gains in the 1994 Republican Revolution, winning a majority in the United States Senate, United States House of Representatives, as well as a majority of governorships, Tucker ran as a moderate Democrat and won in a landslide.

• Jim Guy Tucker (D) (inc.) – 428,936 (59.84%)
• Sheffield Nelson (R) – 287,904 (40.16%)