Changes

Cockrill was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in 1956, the same year that [[Orval Faubus]] won a second then two-year term as [[governor]]. He remained in the state House until December 31, 1970, and was the Speaker for a single term from 1967 to 1968.

Cockrill was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in 1956, the same year that [[Orval Faubus]] won a second then two-year term as [[governor]]. He remained in the state House until December 31, 1970, and was the Speaker for a single term from 1967 to 1968.

In 1968, Speaker Cockrill had criticized [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Governor]] [[Winthrop Rockefeller]]'s proclaimed "Era of Excellence," as having never materialized.<ref name=arkdem>''Arkansas Democrat'', November 3, 1970.</ref> In the spring of 1970, however, Cockrill switched affiliation to the [[Republican Party|GOP]] to run for lieutenant governor on the ticket] ticket headed by the two-term Rockefeller, who sought a third-terme.<ref name=cockrill>{{cite web|url=http://cdm15728.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/findingaids/id/3331/rec/12|title=Sterling Cockrill Collection|publisher=cdm15728.contentdm.oclc.org|accessdate=September 7, 2013}}</ref> He explained his party bolt in the pamphlet entitled, "The Conscience of an Arkansan." Cockrill criticized the Democratic loyalty oath and accused the Democrats of being willing to "do anything, say anything, tell anything, create anything in order to win."<ref>Sterling R. Cockrill, "The Conscience of an Arkansan," 1970 Arkansas Republican campaign pamphlet.</ref> Cockrill won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor with 88 percent of the vote over the politically unknown Gerald Williams of North Little Rock.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, Primary election returns, 1970.</ref> Cockrill replaced Lieutenant Governor [[Maurice Britt]] on the Republican ticket, who instead served as the Rockefeller campaign manager.<ref name=arkdem/>

In 1968, Speaker Cockrill had criticized [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Governor]] [[Winthrop Rockefeller]]'s proclaimed "Era of Excellence," as having never materialized.<ref name=arkdem>''Arkansas Democrat'', November 3, 1970.</ref> In the spring of 1970, however, Cockrill switched affiliation to the [[Republican Party|GOP]] to run for lieutenant governor on the ticket] ticket headed by the two-term Rockefeller, who sought a third-terme.<ref name=cockrill>{{cite web|url=http://cdm15728.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/findingaids/id/3331/rec/12|title=Sterling Cockrill Collection|publisher=cdm15728.contentdm.oclc.org|accessdate=September 7, 2013}}</ref> He explained his party bolt in the pamphlet entitled, "The Conscience of an Arkansan." Cockrill criticized the Democratic loyalty oath and accused the Democrats of being willing to "do anything, say anything, tell anything, create anything in order to win."<ref>Sterling R. Cockrill, "The Conscience of an Arkansan," 1970 Arkansas Republican campaign pamphlet.</ref> Cockrill won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor with 88 percent of the vote over the politically unknown Gerald Williams of North Little Rock.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, Primary election returns, 1970.</ref> Cockrill replaced Lieutenant Governor Maurice Britt on the Republican ticket, who instead served as the Rockefeller campaign manager.<ref name=arkdem/>

Though they waged vigorous campaigns, Rockefeller and Cockrill were defeated by the united Democratic slate headed by [[Dale Bumpers]] and Bob Cowley Riley. In the Democratic primary, Bumpers triumphed over Faubus and then dislodged Rockefeller with ease.  Cockrill lost to Riley, a [[political science]] professor at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Riley received 334,379 votes (56.5 percent) to Cockrill's 232,429 (39.3 percent). The remaining 4 percent of the vote was cast for the [[American Independent Party]] nominee Robert Blanton of Hughes in St. Francis County in eastern Arkansas. Cockrill received majorities in Searcy and Washington counties and polled 35,000 more votes than did Rockefeller, as some voters cast split ballots for Bumpers and Cockrill.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, General election returns, November 3, 1970.</ref>

Though they waged vigorous campaigns, Rockefeller and Cockrill were defeated by the united Democratic slate headed by [[Dale Bumpers]] and Bob Cowley Riley. In the Democratic primary, Bumpers triumphed over Faubus and then dislodged Rockefeller with ease.  Cockrill lost to Riley, a [[political science]] professor at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Riley received 334,379 votes (56.5 percent) to Cockrill's 232,429 (39.3 percent). The remaining 4 percent of the vote was cast for the American Independent Party nominee Robert Blanton of Hughes in St. Francis County in eastern Arkansas. Cockrill received majorities in Searcy and Washington counties and polled 35,000 more votes than did Rockefeller, as some voters cast split ballots for Bumpers and Cockrill.<ref>Arkansas Secretary of State, General election returns, November 3, 1970.</ref>

Riley attributed his victory to the Democratic "team effort" and accused Cockrill of having engaged in "mudslinging, character assassination, and hate emotions." Riley accused Cockrill supporters of having circulated "vicious statements about me" in [[African-American]] neighborhoods. Riley said that he still considered Cockrill a "friend" and hoped that the tactics he found so distasteful had been the work of GOP activists acting without Cockrill's knowledge.<ref>''Arkansas Gazette,'' November 5, 1970.</ref>

Riley attributed his victory to the Democratic "team effort" and accused Cockrill of having engaged in "mudslinging, character assassination, and hate emotions." Riley accused Cockrill supporters of having circulated "vicious statements about me" in [[African-American]] neighborhoods. Riley said that he still considered Cockrill a "friend" and hoped that the tactics he found so distasteful had been the work of GOP activists acting without Cockrill's knowledge.<ref>''Arkansas Gazette,'' November 5, 1970.</ref>