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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.​

Climer toured the state in a motor home dubbed the "Climermobile." He stopped at newspaper offices, radio stations, television stations, and other public forum s to make his name better known and present his proposals for the secretary of state's office.<ref name=eclectic>{{cite web|url=https://www.eclecticatbest.com/2012/10/jerry-climer-for-arkansas-secretary-of.html|title=Jerry Climer for Arkansas Secretary of State|date=October 12, 1972|author=Dan Durning|publisher=Eclecticatbest.com|accessdate=August 15, 2019}}</ref> His campaign assistant, Dan Durning, who met Climer at the University of Arkansas, reflected on the campaign forty years later in his blog, Eclecticatbest.com.

Climer toured the state in a motor home dubbed the "Climermobile." He stopped at newspaper offices, radio stations, television stations, and other public forum s to make his name better known and present his proposals for the secretary of state's office.<ref name=eclectic>{{cite web|url=https://www.eclecticatbest.com/2012/10/jerry-climer-for-arkansas-secretary-of.html|title=Jerry Climer for Arkansas Secretary of State|date=October 12, 1972|author=Dan Durning|publisher=Eclecticatbest.com|accessdate=August 15, 2019}}</ref> His campaign assistant, Dan Durning, who met Climer at the University of Arkansas, reflected on the campaign forty years later in his blog, Eclecticatbest.com:

I am not sure how much of an asset I was to Climer. He was understandably reluctant to have me too visible when he was out shaking hands. In 1972, longish hair apparently put off small town voters. In Harrison, the chairman of the county party organization pointedly invited me to stay in the Climermobile when Jerry went to meet with party supporters to make a brief speech.</blockquote>

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.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 7, 1972.</ref>

As 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.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 7, 1972.</ref>

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.​<ref name=eclectic/>

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.​<ref name=eclectic/>

In 2007, Climer announced his retirement from the Congressional Institute. He was succeeded by Mark Strand, who had been the chief of staff to former U.S. Senator [[Jim Talent]], a [[Missouri]] Republican who was defeated for a full term on November 7, 2006. Climer continued as an advisor through 2008. Together with the chairman of the institute, Mike Johnson, and his successor, Mark Strand, Climer coauthored ''Surviving Inside Congress:'' A guide for prospective, new and not-so-new Congressional staff - and a guided tour for those who just want to learn how it all works.

In 2007, Climer announced his retirement from the Congressional Institute. He was succeeded by Mark Strand, who had been the chief of staff to former U.S. Senator [[Jim Talent]], a [[Missouri]] Republican who was defeated for a full term on November 7, 2006. Climer continued as an advisor through 2008. Together with the chairman of the institute, Mike Johnson, and his successor, Mark Strand, Climer coauthored ''Surviving Inside Congress:'' A guide for prospective, new and not-so-new Congressional staff - and a guided tour for those who just want to learn how it all works.

​==Retired in North Carolina==

==Retired in North Carolina==

 

After retiring and relocating in 2007 to Edenton in Chowan County in eastern [[North Carolina]],<ref name=eclectic/> Climer established Policy Implementation Consultants, which offers consulting services for public officials. He was appointed in 2009 by North Carolina Governor [[Bev Perdue]], a Democrat, to the Edenton Historical Commission, on which he served as chairman and as a member of the executive committee.​

After retiring and relocating in 2007 to Edenton in Chowan County in eastern [[North Carolina]],<ref name=eclectic/> Climer established Policy Implementation Consultants, which offers consulting services for public officials. He was appointed in 2009 by North Carolina Governor [[Bev Perdue]], a Democrat, to the Edenton Historical Commission, on which he served as chairman and as a member of the executive committee.​