Former Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker dies at 81

Former Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker died in Little Rock on Thursday (Feb. 13) at the age of 81 after battling an illness.

Tucker, a Democrat, was a former Arkansas governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, U.S. Congressman, and prosecuting attorney. He was a major player in Arkansas politics from the 1970’s through the 1990’s and was nearly elected U.S. Senator in an epic race against the late David Pryor in 1978.

Tucker served as the 43rd governor of Arkansas from 1992-1996. He was elected Lt. Governor in 1990 and elevated to governor when then-Gov. Bill Clinton was elected U.S. President. Tucker won re-election in 1994, but was snared in the Whitewater scandal and resigned from office in 1996.

Previously, Tucker served as Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney, Arkansas Attorney General, and U.S. Congressman representing the 2nd district of Central Arkansas. His political star dimmed after being defeated by then-Gov. David Pryor for the U.S. Senate in a historic 1978 runoff election.

Tucker had great success outside of politics as an attorney and businessman making his fortune in real estate development and cable TV operations across the U.S. and overseas.

According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Jim Guy Tucker was born on June 13, 1943, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to James Guy and Willie Maude (White) Tucker. His family moved to Little Rock when he was a child, and he was educated in public schools. He graduated from Harvard with a BA in government in 1964, after which he enlisted in the Marine Corps.

Despite two appeals, Tucker was discharged for health reasons after three months. Stints in 1965 and 1967 in Vietnam as a civilian war correspondent became a source of exposure for Tucker as he recorded them in his book, “Arkansas Men at War.” After finishing work in Vietnam, Tucker returned to Arkansas to complete a law degree and pursue a political career.

When Tucker rose to governor in December 1992, he tackled a Medicaid funding crisis in Arkansas by successfully passing a soft drink tax in a special session. In his first regular session, he enacted criminal justice and economic development reforms and invested savings in state agency budgets into an expanded public education agenda.

He tried two special elections after he was re-elected in 1994. One effort was to rewrite the Arkansas Constitution and a second special election aimed to pass a $3.5 billion highway bond program. Both efforts failed at the ballot box.

By 1996, Tucker’s business dealings in an Arkansas development in the 1980’s had come under scrutiny of Whitewater special prosecutor Kenneth Starr, who was investigating a failed land deal involving Bill and Hillary Clinton. Tucker was convicted of misapplying funds from a $150,000 bank loan in May 1996 and announced plans to resign from office in July.

On the day of his planned resignation, which would elevate Lt. Governor Mike Huckabee, a Republican, Tucker expressed reservations and backed down. With political pressure from his own party, he quickly rescinded his decision and resigned.

Tucker is survived by his wife, Betty, and four children.

GOVERNORS ADD THOUGHTS
Arkansas current and former governors have released statements on Gov. Tucker’s passing.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders
“Bryan and I join the rest of Arkansas in mourning the loss of former Governor Jim Guy Tucker. Jim Guy was part of a generation of larger-than-life Arkansans who dominated Arkansas’ political life when I was growing up and had an immeasurable impact on our state. From his tenure as a prosecuting attorney, state attorney general, U.S. congressman, lieutenant governor, and governor, Jim Guy was dedicated to public service and providing for the most vulnerable Arkansans. As a student at Little Rock Central, I was classmates with Jim Guy’s daughter, Sarah. We were both part of a very small club of Arkansas First Daughters and we became fast friends, even running on a joint ticket as Huck and Tuck at Girls State. It was a time and friendship I will always cherish. Our prayers are with Sarah, Anna, Betty, the entire Tucker family, and all who knew and loved Jim Guy.”

Gov. Mike Beebe
“Governor Jim Guy Tucker served our state as Governor of Arkansas, as the state’s Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and also as a Member of the United States Congress, on the Ways and Means Committee. President Carter appointed Jim Guy as Chairman to the White House Council on Families, an ideal place for him, because Jim Guy was someone who was devoted to his family and wide circle of loyal friends.

“I had the opportunity to work with him when I was a state Senator, and I genuinely admired his astute legal mind and his ability as a fiscal problem-solver. Jim Guy was smart as a whip and he was also tough. He put forth all of his effort to make our state a better place and he stood up for what he believed was right.”

Gov. Mike Huckabee
“Governor Tucker and I actually had a very cordial working relationship through most of what was at times an awkward time.  His moving up to Governor left a vacancy in the Lieutenant Governor’s office and a special election was held in 1993 to fill it. I don’t think anyone expected me to win, but when I did it marked a time when the Democrat Governor had a Republican Lt. Governor.  Despite our political differences, we had a good working relationship and our communication was professional and cooperative. Things became more strained after his trial began and in the interim between his conviction in May and his announced resignation date for July 15. When he announced he was rescinding his resignation just five minutes before I was to assume office, it certainly created a very chaotic day, but it resolved that same day.  I felt then and now that his lifetime of public service as a Prosecutor, Attorney General, Congressman, Lt. Governor and Governor should not be remembered for a few hours on what must have been a very difficult day for him.  Instead, I will remember that we worked together when it was best for the state. Our daughters were actually classmates and friends in high school and I had great respect for his overcoming many health challenges so he could continue to serve the state he truly loved.”

President Bill Clinton
“Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Jim Guy Tucker, a friend of more than 50 years whose life of service made Arkansas better, fairer, and stronger. As Prosecuting Attorney, Attorney General, Congressman, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor, he worked tirelessly to improve people’s lives and build a brighter future for our state. He accomplished a great deal, and would have achieved even more had his tenure not been unjustly cut short by a partisan witch hunt.

“I’ll always be grateful for his support in the early days of my political career—encouraging me to run for Congress in 1974 and, when he was Attorney General, giving me the opportunity to write a brief for the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the state in 1976. I respected the vigorous campaign he waged in the 1982 gubernatorial primary, but I liked our cooperation much more—especially in my final term as Governor when he was Lieutenant Governor, and when I was in the White House and he was leading the state.

“Jim Guy was a good and honorable man and a good citizen who bore life’s setbacks, including his health challenges, with dignity and determination. His legacy will live on with all the people whose lives he touched, especially all those who had to keep going through their own adversity.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Betty, his children and grandchildren, and everyone who loved and supported him.”