Democratic Party of Arkansas

Democratic Party of Arkansas
Chairman	Will Bond
Senate leader	Paul Bookout
House leader	Robert Moore
Headquarters	1300 W. Capitol Ave. Little Rock, AR 72201
Ideology	American Liberalism[citation needed]
National affiliation	Democratic Party
Official colors	Blue
Website
http://www.arkdems.org/
Politics of the United States Political parties Elections

The Democratic Party of Arkansas is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Arkansas. It is responsible for promoting the ideologies and core values of the national Democratic Party in Arkansas.

History

Before Arkansas became a state on June 15, 1836, its politics was dominated by a small group commonly called "The Family" or "The Dynasty" until the American Civil War.^[1]. The founder of this party was James Conway, who was inspired by the death of his older brother, Henry Conway.^[2]. Henry Conway was killed in a duel, that took place on October 27th,1827, by Robert Crittenden, former friend, that soon became his political opposition ^[3]. In an act to avenge his brother's death, he formed the first political party of Arkansas, "The Dynasty" ^[4] . Many of the members in this group were relate by either blood or marriage, and thus how it received the name, "The Family"^[2]. This group was closely allied with former President Andrew Jackson^[1]. Arkansas began its statehood with a strong Democratic dominance in politics. The Democratic Party won every election for governor until 1966, when Republican Winthrop Rockefeller won Governorship^[1]. Although the Democratic Party of Arkansas is not as dominant as it once was, it still has a strong presence in the state. Arkansas has traditionally had a two-party government, with the opponents of The Family being the Whigs, and the current opposition to the Democratic Party being the Republican Party. The early Democratic Party has ideologies that are more closely relatable to the modern day Republican Party.^{[citation needed]}

Past Governors

This list shows the trends of the State of Arkansas in Governor Elections since 1941.

• Homer Martin Adkins Democrat 1941-1945
• Benjamin Travis Laney Democrat 1945-1949
• Sidney Sanders McMath Democrat 1949-1953
• Francis Cherry Democrat 1953-1955
• Orval Eugene Faubus Democrat 1955-1967
• Winthrop Rockefeller Republican 1967-1971
• Dale Bumpers Democrat 1971-1975
• David Pryor Democrat 1975- 1979
• Joe Purcell Democrat 1979-1979
• Bill Clinton Democrat 1979-1981
• Frank White Republican 1981-1983
• Bill Clinton Democrat 1983-1992
• Jim Guy Tucker Democrat 1992-1996
• Mike Huckabee Republican 1996-2007
• Mike Beebe Democrat 2007- incumbent

^{[5] [6]}

Modern day Democratic Party

Current elected officials

Members of Congress

U.S. Senate

• Mark Pryor

U.S. House of Representatives

• Mike Ross, 4th district

Statewide offices

• Governor: Mike Beebe
• Attorney General: Dustin McDaniel
• State Auditor: Charlie Daniels
• State Treasurer: Martha Shoffner

State Legislature

• President Pro Tem of the Senate: Paul Bookout
• Speaker of the House: Robert S. Moore

Party platform

The Democratic Party of Arkansas has a platform standing on the following principles: law and order with justice, every citizen, regardless of religion or race, is entitled to an equal voice in government. Also, it advocates equal opportunity, fairness and justice, and progressiveness. It not only promotes these standards, but also takes action to achieve them. With these principles comes a list of 52 rules^[7]. The platform is filled with values such as ethics, education, economic development and opportunity, agriculture, transportation and infrastructure, environment and energy, health care, social security/medicaid/medicare, taxes, military/veterans and nation's security, criminal justice, civil rights and civil liberties, and public service. Its position on these topics mirrors closely that of the national Democratic Party^[8].

See also

• Political party strength in Arkansas

L. J. Bryant was the Democratic Party of Arkansas' nominee for Land Commissioner in 2010. He is thought to be the youngest nominee at 23 of a major political party for a statewide office in Arkansas and maybe the country.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Democratic Party, The Encyclopedia of Arkansas history and culture.
2. ^ ^{a b} . "The Family", The Encyclopedia of Arkansas history and culture.
3. ^ White, Lonnie J. Politics on the Southwestern Frontier: Arkansas Territory, 1819-1836,. Memphis: Memphis State UP, 1964. Print.
4. ^ White, Lonnie J. Politics on the Southwestern Frontier: Arkansas Territory, 1819-1836,. Memphis: Memphis State UP, 1964. Print.
5. ^ Moore, Waddy William. Arkansas in the Gilded Age, 1874-1900. Little Rock, AR: Rose Pub., 1976. Print.
6. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Governors_of_Arkansas
7. ^ Rules
8. ^ Party platform

External links

• Party Website: Democratic Party of Arkansas
• Young Democrats of Arkansas