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Clements was elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1941 for Henderson, Webster, and Union counties. By 1944, he had risen to the post of majority leader of the state Senate and played a central role in writing the state budget that year.<ref name=harrison206/> He then began the first of his two terms as a U.S. Representative.  

Clements was elected to the Kentucky Senate in 1941 for Henderson, Webster, and Union counties. By 1944, he had risen to the post of majority leader of the state Senate and played a central role in writing the state budget that year.<ref name=harrison206/> He then began the first of his two terms as a U.S. Representative.  

In December 1947, Clements left Congress to succeed Governor Willis. In the Democratic primary, he defeated Chandler's preferred candidate, Harry Lee Waterfield (1911-1988). In the campaign, Waterfield proposed a tax on parimutuel betting which Clements at the time opposed. Waterfield also favored the development of electric power generation through public utilities. Clements, however, supported private development.<ref name=klotter331>Klotter, p. 331.</ref>  

In December 1947, Clements left Congress to succeed Governor Willis. In the Democratic primary, he defeated Chandler's preferred candidate, Harry Lee Waterfield (1911-1988). In the campaign, Waterfield proposed a tax on parimutuel betting which Clements at the time opposed. Waterfield also favored the development of electric power generation through public utilities. Clements, however, supported private development.<ref name=klotter331>James C. Klotter, ''Kentucky: Portraits in Paradox, 1900–1950, University Press of Kentucky, p. 331.</ref>  

In the 1947 general election, Clements faced Republican state Attorney General Eldon Steven Dummit (1896-1973).<ref name=harrison206/> While Clements managed to keep the Democrats united following the primary, Dummit had fractured the minority Republicans by attacking the administration of sitting Republican Governor Simeon Willis. Clements defeated Dummit by 100,000 votes, 387,795 to 287,756.<ref name=harrison206/> He resigned his seat in the U.S. House to become governor.<ref name=congbio/>  

In the 1947 general election, Clements faced Republican state Attorney General Eldon Steven Dummit (1896-1973).<ref name=harrison206/> While Clements managed to keep the Democrats united following the primary, Dummit had fractured the minority Republicans by attacking the administration of sitting Republican Governor Simeon Willis. Clements defeated Dummit by 100,000 votes, 387,795 to 287,756.<ref name=harrison206/> He resigned his seat in the U.S. House to become governor.<ref name=congbio/>