The 1968 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on November 5, when incumbent Republican Winthrop Rockefeller defeated former Speaker^[1] of the Arkansas House of Representatives Marion Crank by a small margin. Rockefeller was first elected in 1966, and was the first Republican to hold the office since Reconstruction. This was the first time a Republican was re-elected as Governor of Arkansas.

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1968 Arkansas gubernatorial election

← 1966 November 5, 1968 1970 →

Nominee Winthrop Rockefeller Marion H. Crank Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 322,782 292,813 Percentage 52.43% 47.57%

County results Rockefeller:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Crank:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Winthrop Rockefeller Republican Elected Governor Winthrop Rockefeller Republican

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As of 2022^[update], this is the last time that Chicot County and St. Francis County voted for the Republican candidate.

Probably due to the crowded Democratic primary and allegations of nepotism cast upon Crank,^[2] aided by the recent full enfranchisement of African Americans who supported Rockefeller and his liberal reforms Rockefeller prevailed with a clear, though reduced, compared to 1966 margin.

Virginia Johnson was the wife of former Arkansas Supreme Court Justice James D. Johnson who, concurrently with her candidacy, unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination against J. William Fulbright in the Senate election.

Candidates:

• Marion H. Crank, State Representative, former House Speaker, and President of Foreman Cement Company
• Virginia Johnson, Legal Secretary and wife of James D. "Justice Jim" Johnson, Democratic Nominee for Governor in 1966
• Ted Boswell, attorney
• Bruce Bennett, former Attorney General
• Frank Whitbeck, Insurance Executive
• Clyde Byrd, State Senator