WR; the win rockefeller story

c1966. Presumed First Edition, First printing thus. Wraps. Format is approximately 9 inches by 6 inches. 34, [2] pages, plus covers. Illustrations. Index. Rare surviving copy. This booklet appears to have been prepared to support Rockefeller's 1966 campaign for governor of Arkansas. Part of the campaign theme was support for the two-party system at a time when Arkansas was a staunchly Democrat Party state. Winthrop Rockefeller (May 1, 1912 – February 22, 1973) was an American politician and philanthropist. Rockefeller was the fourth son and fifth child of American financier John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. He is one of the grandchildren of Standard Oil co-founder John D. Rockefeller. As an entrepreneur in Arkansas, he financed many local projects, including a number of new medical clinics in poorer areas, before being elected state governor in 1966, as the first Republican governor of Arkansas since Reconstruction. Despite accusations of lacking insight into the concerns of low-income voters, Rockefeller was re-elected in 1968, and went on to complete the controversial integration of Arkansas schools. Rockefeller moved to central Arkansas in 1953 and established Winrock Enterprises and Winrock Farms atop Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton in Conway County. In 1955, Governor Faubus appointed Rockefeller chairman of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission (AIDC). Rockefeller resigned his position with the AIDC and conducted his first campaign for governor in 1964 against Faubus. His campaign was unsuccessful, but Rockefeller energized and reformed the tiny Republican Party to set the stage for the future. The 1966 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1966. It was the first time since Reconstruction that a member of the Republican Party was elected governor. The same year, during a midterm election, Republicans made some gains in the traditionally Democratic southern stronghold – including winning the governorship in Florida (also first time since Reconstruction), and narrowly losing the gubernatorial race in Georgia (when a GOP candidate won a plurality, but the Democratic-controlled legislature selected their own candidate). Popular and powerful six-term (since 1955) incumbent Orval E. Faubus decided against seeking re-election. "Justice Jim" Johnson, a political ally of George C. Wallace of Alabama, ran a segregationist campaign with support of the White Citizens Council. A decade earlier, Johnson had run in the Democratic primary against Faubus, another segregationist, whom he accused of working behind the scenes for racial integration. A northeastern native, multimillionaire and scion of a prominent political/business family Winthrop Rockefeller was nominated with over 96% of the vote over Gus McMillan of Sheridan. Charges abounded that McMillan, a lifelong Democrat, was planted in the race by Faubus in order to force the Republicans to hold an expensive and needless primary. Rockefeller had been the GOP nominee in the 1964 election. Rockefeller was an unusual candidate – an eastern establishment member and moderate-to-liberal party wing member (such as his brother, Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, an unofficial leader of this wing for many years).
The Republican Party at this time practically played only a most minor role in Arkansas politics. However, his popularity and the break within Democratic camp, where many were outraged with Johnson's segregationist stances, and good year for the Republicans nationally helped Rockefeller to win. Condition: Good.

Keywords: Winthrop Rockefeller, Arkansas, Governor, Winrock Enterprises, Winrock Farms, Republican Party, Industrial Development, Economic Development, Military Service, Army Service, WWII, Political Campaigns

[Book #83778]

Price: $175.00