During the Solid South, the Democratic Party held firm control of virtually every office in The South, including Arkansas. Winning the Democratic primary was considered tantamount to election, with several different factions of the party battling in the open primaries. The election was held a few years into the Great Depression, and Americans and Arkansans battling steep unemployment and poverty sought politicians and policies to remedy the economic malaise.
Though the state elected big government-liberal Franklin Roosevelt, Futrell represented a realignment toward severe cuts and retrenchment in the governor's mansion. Conservative, small-government Democrats also took state senate and state representative positions across Arkansas. Though 1932 is considered a realignment election nationally toward Democrats and larger government, in Arkansas, Futrell was the most conservative governor elected in decades, marking a shift from Progressive Era-type politicians in Arkansas.
Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover by an 85.96% to 12.91% margin in Arkansas, earning the state's nine electoral votes. His New Deal was very popular in the state, which was struggling with high unemployment and poor prospects for agriculture, which represented most of Arkansas's economy.
Thaddeus H. Caraway held Arkansas's Class III senate from 1920 until his death on November 6, 1931. Per the custom at the time, his wife Hattie Caraway was appointed to serve the remainder of his term. Though she faced several primary challengers, Caraway became the first woman to be elected to a full term in the Senate in November 1932 by an 89.5% to 10.5% margin over John W. White, the Republican.
Incumbent lieutenant governor Lawrence Wilson faced a six-way primary battle for reelection. Though Democratic voters had historically given two two-year terms to faithful politicians, Wilson had become embroiled in scandals after pardoning his brother from a ten-year prison sentence while serving as acting governor, and in his capacity to dissolve three insolvent banks in his home county.
Candidates in the Democratic primary were Lieutenant Governor Wilson, Lee Cazort, Paul Grabiel, Fred Hutto, Joe W. Kimysey, R.F. Milwee, and J. Rosser Venable.[1]
Constitutional offices
Attorney general
Hal L. Norwood won reelection as Arkansas Attorney General. He was challenged in the Democratic primary by Hal C. Norwood, Boyd Cypert, John C. Sheffield, and J.G. Ragsdale.[1]
^ abcStaff of the Harrison Daily Times (July 16, 1932). "Primary List is Certified by Committee". Harrison Daily Times. Vol. 13, no. 245. Harrison: The Times Publishing Company. p. 1. OCLC18545584 – via NewspaperARCHIVE.
