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Line 30: − + + + − + − In 1970, Bryant defeated the Republican former State Representative [[Jim Sheets]] of Benton County in far northwestern Arkansas. Bryant polled 360,209 votes (62.3 percent) to Sheets' 217,752 (37.7 percent). Sheets won only in Searcy and Benton counties. It was a particularly Democratic year both nationally and in Arkansas, as newcomer [[Dale Bumpers]] ended Governor Rockefeller's short poltiical career.+ − −
→Defeating four Republicans
Bryant was elected to seven two-year terms as secretary of state, the principal record-keeping agency which processes election returns. Usually the office attracts little attention from the public or the [[media]].<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/kelly-bryant-11802/|title=Bryant, Kelly|publisher=''The Encyclopedia of Arkansas''|accessdate=October 23, 2019}}</ref>
Bryant was elected to seven two-year terms as secretary of state, the principal record-keeping agency which processes election returns. Usually the office attracts little attention from the public or the [[media]].<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/kelly-bryant-11802/|title=Bryant, Kelly|publisher=''The Encyclopedia of Arkansas''|accessdate=October 23, 2019}}</ref>
In 1964, when [[U.S. President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and Governor [[Orval E. Faubus]] were elected, Bryant defeated the little-known [[Republican Party|Republican]] challenger, Charles R. Watson of Arkadelphia in Clark County in south Arkansas. Bryant received 389,295 votes (73.1 percent) to Watson's 143,263 (26.9 percent). Watson won only in often Republican-leaning Searcy County in the northwestern portion of the state.
In 1964, when [[U.S. President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and Governor [[Orval E. Faubus]] were elected, Bryant defeated the little-known [[Republican Party|Republican]] challenger, Charles R. Watson of Arkadelphia in Clark County in south Arkansas. Bryant received 389,295 votes (73.1 percent) to Watson's 143,263 (26.9 percent). Watson won only in often Republican-leaning Searcy County in the northwestern portion of the state.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 3, 1964.</ref>
In 1968, Bryant faced a stronger Republican candidate in [[Lynn A. Davis]], who ran on the [[Winthrop Rockefeller]] ticket. Though Rockefeller narrowly won his second term, Bryant defeated Davis, who would later be the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas and had been Rockefeller's choice to head the Arkansas state police. The Arkansas State Senate, however, refused to confirm Davis' appointment based on residency requirements. Bryant received 320,203 votes (54.7 percent) to Davis' 265,510 (45.3 percent). Davis won thirteen of the state's seventy-five counties.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 5, 1968.</ref>
In 1968, Bryant faced a stronger Republican candidate in [[Lynn A. Davis]], who ran on the [[Winthrop Rockefeller]] ticket. Though Rockefeller narrowly won his second term, the Democrat Bryant defeated Davis, who would later be the United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas and had been Rockefeller's choice to head the Arkansas state police. The Arkansas State Senate, however, refused to confirm Davis' appointment based on residency requirements. Bryant received 320,203 votes (54.7 percent) to Davis' 265,510 (45.3 percent). Davis won thirteen of the state's seventy-five counties.
In 1970, Bryant defeated the Republican former State Representative [[Jim Sheets]] of Benton County in far northwestern Arkansas. Bryant polled 360,209 votes (62.3 percent) to Sheets' 217,752 (37.7 percent). Sheets won only in Searcy and Benton counties. It was a particularly Democratic year both nationally and in Arkansas, as newcomer [[Dale Bumpers]] ended Governor Rockefeller's short poltiical career.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 3, 1970.</ref>
In 1972, Bryant defeated [[Jerry Climer|Jerome F. "Jerry" Climer]], the former clerk of Pulaski County, which includes the capital city of [[Little Rock]]. Bryant received 366,079 votes (59.4 percent) to Climer's 250,532 (40.6 percent). Climer carried only two counties, Searcy and his own Pulaski.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 5, 1972.</ref> In the campaign, Climer questioned why Mrs. Bryant was hired as a $11,500-per-year employee in the secretary of state's office. Climer had been appointed to fill the vacancy as clerk late in 1970 shortly before Rockefeller vacated the governorship. Climer, who has extensive credentials in the field of public administration, served as an aide to two Arkansas congressmen and went on to establish two [[Washington, D.C.]]-based "think tanks," the Congressional Institute and the Public Governance Institute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/110446291/|author=Dan Durning|publisher=''The Arkansas Advocate''|date=July 1973|title=The Climer Campaign: The Crusade Nobody Noticed|accessdate=October 23, 2019}}</ref>.
In 1972, Bryant defeated [[Jerry Climer|Jerome F. "Jerry" Climer]], the former clerk of Pulaski County, which includes the capital city of [[Little Rock]]. Bryant received 366,079 votes (59.4 percent) to Climer's 250,532 (40.6 percent). Climer carried only two counties, Searcy and his own Pulaski. In the campaign, Climer questioned why Mrs. Bryant was hired as a $11,500-per-year employee in the secretary of state's office. Climer had been appointed to fill the vacancy as clerk late in 1970 shortly before Rockefeller vacated the governorship. Climer, who has extensive credentials in the field of public administration, served as an aide to two Arkansas congressmen and went on to establish two [[Washington, D.C.]]-based "think tanks," the Congressional Institute and the Public Governance Institute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/110446291/|author=Dan Durning|publisher=''The Arkansas Advocate''|date=July 1973|title=The Climer Campaign: The Crusade Nobody Noticed|accessdate=October 23, 2019}}</ref>.
Bryant won his first, third, and last terms as secretary of state in 1962, 1966, and 1974, respectively, without Republican opposition. No Republican held the office since [[Reconstruction]] until 2010, with the election of Mark Martin, a former state representative from Prairie Grove in Washington County in northwestern Arkansas.
Bryant won his first, third, and last terms as secretary of state in 1962, 1966, and 1974, respectively, without Republican opposition. No Republican held the office since [[Reconstruction]] until 2010, with the election of Mark Martin, a former state representative from Prairie Grove in Washington County in northwestern Arkansas.