Changes

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 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 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/>  

Governor Clements raised taxes to fund the state park system and construct and maintain roads. He also achieved advancements in education. In 1950, Clements was elected to the United States Senate and therefore resigned the governorship to make the move back to [[Washington, D.C.]] He was elected by his colleagues as the Democratic Whip from 1955 to 1957, with service under Majority Leader and later [[U.S. President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. He was also the executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 1957 to 1959. In 1956, Clements was unseated after one term by the [[Moderate Republican]] [[Thruston B. Morton]] of [[Louisville]]. Chandler, then in his second nonconsecutive term as governor,  offered no support to Clements' in his re-election bid, but Lyndon Johnson insisted that he resume the chairmanship of the reelection committee for the first two years that he was out of office.

Governor Clements raised taxes to fund the state park system and construct and maintain roads. He also achieved advancements in education. In 1950, Clements was elected to the United States Senate and therefore resigned the governorship to make the move back to [[Washington, D.C.]] He was elected by his colleagues as the Democratic Whip from 1955 to 1957, with service under Majority Leader and later [[U.S. President]] [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. He was also the executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee from 1957 to 1959. In 1956, Clements was unseated after one term by the [[Moderate Republican]] [[Thruston B. Morton]] of [[Louisville]]. Chandler, then in his second nonconsecutive term as governor,  offered no support to Clements' in his re-election bid, but Lyndon Johnson insisted that he resume the chairmanship of the reelection committee for the first two years that he was out of office.