Joe Purcell

Joe Purcell (born July 29, 1923 in Warren , Bradley County , Arkansas , † March 5, 1987 in Benton , Arkansas) was an American politician ( Democratic Party ) and in 1979 briefly governor of the state of Arkansas.

Early years and political advancement

Purcell attended Little Rock Junior College and later the University of Arkansas , where he graduated from law in 1952. He then opened a law firm in Benton. During the Second World War he was a soldier in the US Army .

He served as an attorney for the city of Benton from 1955 to 1959, and was a city judge in that commune from 1959 to 1966. In 1966 he became Attorney General of Arkansas. He held this office until 1971. In 1970 he unsuccessfully applied for the office of governor.

Advancement to governor and further life

Purcell was elected Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas in 1974. In 1976 and 1978 he was confirmed in this position. After the resignation of Governor David Pryor in January 1979, he had to end his remaining six-day term. So he served as governor of Arkansas between January 3 and 9, 1979. Then he passed the office to the newly elected Governor Bill Clinton , whose Lieutenant Governor Purcell remained until 1981. In the previous internal party election campaign, he was defeated by Clinton. In 1982 he made another unsuccessful attempt to be elected governor. He then retired to Benton, where he died in March 1987.

Web links

• Purcell on Arkansas governors list
• Newspaper report on Purcell's defeat in the primary by Bill Clinton