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As the Republican nominee, Troxell pledged to bring "decorum" to the Arkansas State Senate, over which the lieutenant governor presides. However, she was handily defeated by the Democratic former state Attorney General Joe Purcell (1923–1987) of Benton in Saline County in a heavily Democratic year, Troxell received only 121,302 votes (23 percent) to Purcell's 406,040 (77 percent). She carried no counties in what turned out to have been her last venture on a ballot. Coon was defeated by David Hampton Pryor, but he ran some 65,000 votes ahead of ticket-mate Troxell. Purcell served as lieutenant governor until 1981. He ran in the primary in 1982 against then former Governor [[Bill Clinton]].​

As the Republican nominee, Troxell pledged to bring "decorum" to the Arkansas State Senate, over which the lieutenant governor presides. However, she was handily defeated by the Democratic former state Attorney General Joe Purcell (1923–1987) of Benton in Saline County in a heavily Democratic year, Troxell received only 121,302 votes (23 percent) to Purcell's 406,040 (77 percent). She carried no counties in what turned out to have been her last venture on a ballot. Coon was defeated by David Hampton Pryor, but he ran some 65,000 votes ahead of ticket-mate Troxell. Purcell served as lieutenant governor until 1981. He ran in the primary in 1982 against then former Governor [[Bill Clinton]].​

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In 1981, Mrs. Troxell questioned the appointment of former Governor [[Orval E. Faubus]], a Democrat, as director of the scandal-plagued Arkansas Veterans's Affairs Department. The selection was made by Governor [[Frank D. White]], only the second Republican governor of Arkansas since [[Reconstruction]].  "... Obviously, I do not want to go back to the kind of regime we had when he was governor ... Believe me, that was machine politics at its worst," Mrs. Troxell said of the Faubus era (1955–1967). Among those defending the selection were former gubernatorial candidate [[Len Blaylock]] of Perry County, [[U.S. Representative]] [[John Paul Hammerschmidt]] of Harrison, and former state Representative]] [[Danny L. Patrick]]. These Republicans argued that Faubus was ideally suited for the particular position.​

In 1981, Mrs. Troxell questioned the appointment of former Governor [[Orval E. Faubus]], a Democrat, as director of the scandal-plagued Arkansas Veterans's Affairs Department. The selection was made by Governor [[Frank D. White]], only the second Republican governor of Arkansas since [[Reconstruction]].  "... Obviously, I do not want to go back to the kind of regime we had when he was governor ... Believe me, that was machine politics at its worst," Mrs. Troxell said of the Faubus era (1955–1967). Among those defending the selection were former gubernatorial candidate [[Len Blaylock]] of Perry County, [[U.S. Representative]] [[John Paul Hammerschmidt]] of Harrison, and former state Representative]] [[Danny L. Patrick]]. These Republicans argued that Faubus was ideally suited for the particular position.​<ref>Ellen Debenport, "Segregation-era governor makes political comeback," UPI, September 14, 1981.</ref>

Troxell also questioned Governor White over the proposed [[Equal Rights Amendment]]. When White declined to include ERA in the agenda for a special legislative session in the fall of 1981, Troxell attempted to meet with White.  "I asked if there was any opportunity for a group to see the governor, but his schedule was completely full," Troxell told the since defunct ''Arkansas Gazette.''<ref>''Arkansas Gazette,''November 13, 1981.</ref>  

Troxell also questioned Governor White over the proposed [[Equal Rights Amendment]]. When White declined to include ERA in the agenda for a special legislative session in the fall of 1981, Troxell attempted to meet with White.  "I asked if there was any opportunity for a group to see the governor, but his schedule was completely full," Troxell told the since defunct ''Arkansas Gazette.''<ref>''Arkansas Gazette,'' November 13, 1981.</ref>  

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Mrs. Troxell was an active member of the Rose Bud First [[Baptist]] Church, having worked over the years with the youth, the [[choir]], and the Women's [[Missionary]] Union. She established the Nolan and Leona Troxell Perpetual Church Scholarship. In 1994, the Rose Bud congregation named its new church education building after her.​

Mrs. Troxell was an active member of the Rose Bud First [[Baptist]] Church, having worked over the years with the youth, the [[choir]], and the Women's [[Missionary]] Union. She established the Nolan and Leona Troxell Perpetual Church Scholarship. In 1994, the Rose Bud congregation named its new church education building after her.​

Troxell died in a nursing home in Judsonia, Arkansas. She was survived by two [[nephew]]s, Karl Gustafson of Boulder, [[Colorado]] and Dick Gustafson of Oneonta, New York. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, her second husband, Russell Dodd, and a sister, Jeanette Gustafson (1919–1997). Services were held at the Rose Bud First Baptist Church. Interment was at Little Rock National Cemetery.

Troxell died in a nursing home in Judsonia, Arkansas. She was survived by two [[nephew]]s, Karl Gustafson of Boulder, [[Colorado]] and Dick Gustafson of Oneonta, New York. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, her second husband, Russell Dodd, and a sister, Jeanette Gustafson (1919–1997). Services were held at the Rose Bud First Baptist Church. Interment was at Little Rock National Cemetery.

==References==​

==References==

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{{reflist}}

Arkansas Election Statistics, 1972 and 1974 (Little Rock: Secretary of State)​.<br>​

Arkansas Election Statistics, 1972 and 1974 (Little Rock: Secretary of State)​.<br>​

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