The 1970 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970.
Incumbent Republican Governor Winthrop Rockefeller ran for a third term but was defeated by Democratic nominee Dale Bumpers who won 61.66% of the vote. , this was the last time Lee County voted for the Republican candidate.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on August 25, 1970, with the Democratic runoff held on September 8, 1970.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- Dale Bumpers, Charleston city attorney
- William S. Cheek, businessman
- Robert C. Compton, lawyer and former Prosecuting Attorney
- Orval Faubus, former Governor
- Hayes C. McClerkin, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives
- James M. Malone, Jr., farmer, son of J. M. Malone, unsuccessful candidate for Democratic nomination for governor in 1946
- Joe Purcell, incumbent Arkansas Attorney General
- Bill Wells, former state representative and Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1968
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Les Gibbs, former tax collector
- R. J. Hampton, president of Shorter College, North Little Rock; first black candidate for governor since 1920
- James MacKrell, Preacher, radio broadcaster, former public relations executive, and a Democratic candidate for governor in 1948
- Winthrop Rockefeller, incumbent Governor
Results
General election
Candidates
- Dale Bumpers, Democratic
- Winthrop Rockefeller, Republican
- Walter L. Carruth, American Party, farmer
Results overview
Results by county
References
Bibliography