ar_gov_HUCKABEE
GOVERNOR MIKE HUCKABEE
Age: 43 Born: August 24, 1955; Hope, Arkansas Education: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1976-77); Ouachita Baptist University, B.A. (1975) Military: None Family: Married - Janet; Three children Hometown: Hope, Arkansas Religion: Baptist Career: Governor (1996-present); Lieutenant Governor (1993-96); President, Cambridge Communications (1992-96); Pastor, Texarkana (1986-92); President, AR Baptist State Convention (1989-91); President, KBSC-TV (1987-92); President, ACTS-TV (1983-86); Pastor, Pine Bluff (1980-86) |
• Huckabee was born in Hope, Arkansas, the same town that Bill Clinton was born in nine years earlier. Like Clinton, Huckabee was a governor of Arkansas Boys State (Clinton was elected in 1963; Huckabee in 1972). Huckabee's wife, Janet, is also from Hope.
• In 1975, at age 19, Huckabee graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. He continued his studies at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1980, Huckabee entered the ministry, and he spent the next 11 years as a Baptist pastor, first in Pine Bluff and later in Texarkana. He started 24-hour television stations in both towns, and he hosted a program called Positive Alternatives. Huckabee also presided over the Arkansas Baptist Convention from 1989-91.
• In 1992, the same year that Bill Clinton was elected President, Huckabee challenged Democratic incumbent Sen. Dale Bumpers. Huckabee lost by 60% to 40%.
• After Jim Guy Tucker replaced Bill Clinton as governor of Arkansas in 1993, Huckabee sought the number two office. In a July 1993 special election, Huckabee narrowly defeated, 51% to 49%, former Clinton aide Nate Coulter, who was heavily favored to win. Huckabee became only the second Republican in 150 years to fill that office, and Republicans hailed the victory aa referendum on Clinton's policies. Huckabee was easily re-elected in 1994.
• In August 1995, Gov. Jim Guy Tucker was indicted, along with James and Susan McDougal, on charges stemming from Independent Counsel Ken Starr's Whitewater investigation of President Clinton. However, the charges against Tucker were thrown out a few weeks later, and when U.S. Sen. David Pryor announced that he was retiring in October 1995, Huckabee announced he would run for the seat. The following spring Tucker's indictment was reinstated, and he was convicted in May 1996. Although Huckabee was the frontrunner in the Senate race, he dropped out. He ascended to governorship on July 15, 1996 after Gov. Jim Guy Tucker resigned.