# 1954 Arkansas gubernatorial election

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vte :
The 1954 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1954.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Francis Cherry was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary. Cherry was only one of four Arkansas governors in the twentieth century denied initial second terms in office; the others were Tom Terral in 1926, Bill Clinton in 1980, and Frank White in 1982. Only one previous governor, Henry Rector in 1862, was defeated after one term.
Democratic nominee Orval Faubus defeated Republican nominee Pratt C. Remmel with 62.09% of the vote.

## Primary elections

Primary elections were held on July 27, 1954, with the Democratic runoff held on August 10, 1954.

### Democratic primary
#### Candidates

* Francis Cherry, incumbent Governor
* Orval Faubus, newspaper publisher and former Director of State Highway Commission
* Guy H. Jones, State Senator
* Gus McMillan, real estate dealer

#### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Francis Cherry (incumbent) | 154,879 | 47.71 |
| | Democratic | Orval Faubus | 109,614 | 33.77 |
| | Democratic | Guy H. Jones | 41,249 | 12.71 |
| | Democratic | Gus McMillan | 18,857 | 5.81 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 324,599 | 100.00 |
Democratic primary run-off results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Orval Faubus | 191,328 | 50.91 |
| | Democratic | Francis Cherry (incumbent) | 184,509 | 49.09 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 375,837 | 100.00 |

## General election
### Candidates

* Orval Faubus, Democratic
* Pratt C. Remmel, Republican, Former insurance executive, Mayor of Little Rock

### Results

Remmel's showing against Faubus was the best showing by a non-Democrat since 1888 and by a Republican since 1872.
1954 Arkansas gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Orval Faubus | 208,121 | 62.09% | −25.32% |
| | Republican | Pratt C. Remmel | 127,004 | 37.89% | +25.30% |
| | Scattering | | 51 | 0.02% | +0.02% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 81,117 | 24.20% | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 335,176 | 100.00% | |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Swing | | |