In 1974, Purcell was elected to the lieutenant governorship; he handily defeated Republican Leona Troxell of Rose Bud in White County, a former associate of the late Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. He was reelected as Arkansas Lieutenant Governor in 1976 and 1978 under David Pryor and Bill Clinton. He served as Acting Arkansas Governor for six days in 1979, having filled the unexpired term of Pryor, who had been elected to the United States Senate.[1]
Purcell was twice a candidate for the governorship. In 1970, he was considered the leading challenger to former governor Orval Faubus and ran second to Faubus throughout the primary race, but was edged out of a runoff berth by less than 500 votes by Charleston attorney Dale Bumpers, who went on to defeat Faubus and then Republican Governor Winthrop Rockefeller in the general election. Purcell was Bumpers' choice to chair the Arkansas Democratic Party, a position which he held from 1970 to 1973. His chief task as party chair was to purge followers of presidential candidate George Wallace of Alabama and former gubernatorial nominee James D. Johnson from the party ranks and to limit the influence of the Faubus-era "Old Guard" faction. He entered the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 1982 and surprisingly edged out former congressman Jim Guy Tucker for a runoff berth with former governor Bill Clinton. Purcell lost the Democratic nomination to Clinton in a runoff, 46 to 54 percent.[2]
Notes and referencesedit
^"State of Arkansas: Governors". theus50.com. July 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
^"Dewitt Era-Enterprise - Google News Archive Search".
purcell, edward, purcell, july, 1923, march, 1987, american, politician, attorney, served, acting, governor, arkansas, days, 1979, member, democratic, party, served, 45th, attorney, general, arkansas, from, 1967, 1971, 13th, lieutenant, governor, arkansas, fro. Joe Edward Purcell July 29 1923 March 5 1987 was an American politician and attorney who served as Acting Governor of Arkansas for six days in 1979 A member of the Democratic Party he served as the 45th Attorney General of Arkansas from 1967 to 1971 and the 13th Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas from 1975 to 1981 Joe PurcellActing Governor of ArkansasIn office January 3 1979 January 9 1979Preceded byDavid Pryoras GovernorSucceeded byBill Clintonas Governor13th Lieutenant Governor of ArkansasIn office January 14 1975 January 19 1981GovernorDavid PryorBill ClintonPreceded byBob C RileySucceeded byWinston Bryant45th Attorney General of ArkansasIn office January 10 1967 January 12 1971GovernorWinthrop RockefellerPreceded byBruce BennettSucceeded byRay ThorntonChair of the Arkansas Democratic PartyIn office January 5 1971 January 12 1975Personal detailsBornJoe Edward Purcell 1923 07 29 July 29 1923Warren Arkansas U S DiedMarch 5 1987 aged 63 Benton Arkansas U S Political partyDemocraticSpouseHelen Hale PurcellChildrenLynelle and EdeProfessionAttorneyIn 1974 Purcell was elected to the lieutenant governorship he handily defeated Republican Leona Troxell of Rose Bud in White County a former associate of the late Governor Winthrop Rockefeller He was reelected as Arkansas Lieutenant Governor in 1976 and 1978 under David Pryor and Bill Clinton He served as Acting Arkansas Governor for six days in 1979 having filled the unexpired term of Pryor who had been elected to the United States Senate 1 Purcell was twice a candidate for the governorship In 1970 he was considered the leading challenger to former governor Orval Faubus and ran second to Faubus throughout the primary race but was edged out of a runoff berth by less than 500 votes by Charleston attorney Dale Bumpers who went on to defeat Faubus and then Republican Governor Winthrop Rockefeller in the general election Purcell was Bumpers choice to chair the Arkansas Democratic Party a position which he held from 1970 to 1973 His chief task as party chair was to purge followers of presidential candidate George Wallace of Alabama and former gubernatorial nominee James D Johnson from the party ranks and to limit the influence of the Faubus era Old Guard faction He entered the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 1982 and surprisingly edged out former congressman Jim Guy Tucker for a runoff berth with former governor Bill Clinton Purcell lost the Democratic nomination to Clinton in a runoff 46 to 54 percent 2 Notes and references edit State of Arkansas Governors theus50 com July 2011 Retrieved June 26 2010 Dewitt Era Enterprise Google News Archive Search Party political officesPreceded byBob C Riley Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas1974 1976 1978 Succeeded byWinston BryantPolitical officesPreceded byDavid Pryor Governor Governor of ArkansasActingJanuary 1979 Succeeded byBill Clinton GovernorPreceded byBob C Riley Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas1975 1981 Succeeded byWinston BryantLegal officesPreceded byBruce Bennett Attorney General of Arkansas1967 1971 Succeeded byRay Thornton Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Joe Purcell amp oldid 1181262547, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,