September 23, 2009

When Dale Bumpers (far left) ran for governor in 1970, it was only the second time he had run for public office; the first was a failed run for a U.S. House of Representatives seat in 1962. After winning the Democratic primary against seven opponents, he easily defeated his Republican opponent, Winthrop Rockefeller. Bumpers, who won reelection in 1972, is shown here at the Bicentennial Liberty Bell ceremony at the Arkansas State Capitol in 1974.