Joe Purcell

Joe Purcell ( born July 29, 1923 in Warren, Bradley County, Arkansas, † March 5, 1987 in Benton, Arkansas ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and 1979 briefly Governor of Arkansas.

Early years and political rise

Purcell visited the Little Rock Junior College and later the University of Arkansas, where he earned his law degree in 1952. Then he opened a law office in Benton. During the Second World War he was a soldier in the U.S. Army.

Between 1955 and 1959 he was a lawyer of the city Benton and from 1959 to 1966 he was in this municipality municipal judge. In 1966 he was Attorney General of Arkansas. This office he held until 1971. In 1970 he applied unsuccessfully for the office of governor.

Ascent to the governor and other life

Purcell was elected in 1974 to the Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. In the years 1976 and 1978 he was confirmed in this function. Following the resignation of Governor David Pryor in January 1979, he had to finish the remainder of the term of six days. Thus he served between 3 and 9 January 1979 as governor of Arkansas. Then he handed the office to the newly elected Governor Bill Clinton, the Lieutenant Governor Purcell remained until 1981. In 1982, he undertook again a vain attempt to be elected to the office of the governor. He then retired to Benton, where he died in March 1987.

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