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→Race for secretary of state, 1972
In 1972, Climer, at thirty-one, was the Republican candidate for Arkansas Secretary of State. He was defeated by the popular [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[incumbent]] Kelly Bryant. In his campaign, Climer alleged that Bryant's office was "full of political hacks", a situation which, he maintained, caused the legitimate employees to be "overworked". Climer further accused Bryant of showing favoritism for certain printing firms in the awarding of state contracts, failing to preserve vital state records, and mishandling petitions filed with the office. Climer had the endorsement of the ''Pine Bluff Commercial'' in Jefferson County] Bryant, however, was so confident of success, considering the Democratic hegemony of Arkansas, that he could ignore the upstart challenge from Climer.
In 1972, Climer, at thirty-one, was the Republican candidate for Arkansas Secretary of State. He was defeated by the popular [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[incumbent]] Kelly Bryant. In his campaign, Climer alleged that Bryant's office was "full of political hacks", a situation which, he maintained, caused the legitimate employees to be "overworked". Climer further accused Bryant of showing favoritism for certain printing firms in the awarding of state contracts, failing to preserve vital state records, and mishandling petitions filed with the office. Climer had the endorsement of the ''Pine Bluff Commercial'' in Jefferson County] Bryant, however, was so confident of success, considering the Democratic hegemony of Arkansas, that he could ignore the upstart challenge from Climer.
As he expected, Bryant won with 366,079 votes (59.4 percent) to Climer's 250,532 (40.6 percent). Climer led in Pulaski County, where he had been clerk, with 62.4 percent, carried traditionally Republican Searcy County and received more than 48 percent in Washington County, which includes the University of Arkansas.
As he expected, Bryant won with 366,079 votes (59.4 percent) to Climer's 250,532 (40.6 percent). Climer led in Pulaski County, where he had been clerk, with 62.4 percent, carried traditionally Republican Searcy County and received more than 48 percent in Washington County, which includes the University of Arkansas.
All the Arkansas Republican statewide candidates were defeated that year, including the gubernatorial nominee [[Len Blaylock]] of Perry County, [[Ken Coon]] for lieutenant governor, Edwin Ruthvin Bethune, Jr. for attorney general, and the [[veterinarian]] [[Wayne Babbitt]] for the [[United States Senate]] against the incumbent [[John McClellan]]. Nevertheless, [[U.S. President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]] became the first member of his party since [[U.S. Grant]] to win the [[electoral vote]]s of traditionally Democratic Arkansas.
All the Arkansas Republican statewide candidates were defeated that year, including the gubernatorial nominee [[Len Blaylock]] of Perry County, [[Ken Coon]] for lieutenant governor, Edwin Ruthvin Bethune, Jr. for attorney general, and the [[veterinarian]] [[Wayne Babbitt]] for the [[United States Senate]] against the incumbent [[John McClellan]]. Nevertheless, [[U.S. President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]] became the first member of his party since [[U.S. Grant]] to win the [[electoral vote]]s of traditionally Democratic Arkansas.