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Rockefeller became the Republican national committeeman from Arkansas in 1961, when he replaced the attorney [[Wallace Townsend]] of [[Little Rock]] in that position. He soon quarreled with state chairman William L. Spicer, the owner of a chain of drive-in theaters from  [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]], who was more [[conservative]] than the moderate-to-liberal Republican Rockefeller. Spicer resigned as chairman in 1964 and was succeeded by future [[U.S. Representative]] John Paul Hammerschmidt, a Rockefeller supporter but one more conservative than Rockefeller.

Rockefeller became the Republican national committeeman from Arkansas in 1961, when he replaced the attorney [[Wallace Townsend]] of [[Little Rock]] in that position. He soon quarreled with state chairman William L. Spicer, the owner of a chain of drive-in theaters from  [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]], who was more [[conservative]] than the moderate-to-liberal Republican Rockefeller. Spicer resigned as chairman in 1964 and was succeeded by future [[U.S. Representative]] John Paul Hammerschmidt, a Rockefeller supporter but one more conservative than Rockefeller.

In 1966, Faubus did not seek reelection, and Rockefeller upset the Democratic gubernatorial nominee [[James D. Johnson]] of Conway in Faulker County, known as "Justice Jim," a former member of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Rockefeller was reelected, very narrowly, in 1968, over the Democrat Marion H. Crank of Foreman in Little River County. In that same election, Arkansas cast its electoral votes for [[George Wallace]] and reelected the Democrat [[J. William Fulbright]] to the [[United States Senate]]. Only three Republicans, [[Jim Sheets]] of Siloam Springs, [[George E. Nowotny, Jr.]], of [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]], and [[Danny L. Patrick]] from Faubus's Huntsville in Madison County, served in the Arkansas House of Representatives during Rockefeller's first term. In the second term [[Jim Caldwell]] of Siloam Springs became the first Arkansas Republican state senator of the 20th century, and Preston Bynum, also then of Siloam Springs, replaced Sheets in the House. [[Marshall Chrisman]] of Ozark in Johnson County served a single term in the House in Rockefeller's second term.

In 1966, Faubus did not seek reelection, and Rockefeller upset the Democratic gubernatorial nominee [[James D. Johnson]] of Conway in Faulkner County, known as "Justice Jim," a former member of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Rockefeller was reelected, very narrowly, in 1968, over the Democrat Marion H. Crank of Foreman in Little River County. In that same election, Arkansas cast its electoral votes for [[George Wallace]] and reelected the Democrat [[J. William Fulbright]] to the [[United States Senate]]. Only three Republicans, [[Jim Sheets]] of Siloam Springs, [[George E. Nowotny, Jr.]], of [[Fort Smith, Arkansas|Fort Smith]], and [[Danny L. Patrick]] from Faubus's Huntsville in Madison County, served in the Arkansas House of Representatives during Rockefeller's first term. In the second term [[Jim Caldwell]] of Siloam Springs became the first Arkansas Republican state senator of the 20th century, and Preston Bynum, also then of Siloam Springs, replaced Sheets in the House. [[Marshall Chrisman]] of Ozark in Johnson County served a single term in the House in Rockefeller's second term.

As governor, Rockefeller implemented a wide variety of reforms dealing with state government. Many required tax increases. He used the slogan "Arkansas Is Worth Paying For." He is also remembered for his opposition to [[capital punishment]] and his reform of the state prison system. He worked to stop illegal gambling in Hot Springs.

As governor, Rockefeller implemented a wide variety of reforms dealing with state government. Many required tax increases. He used the slogan "Arkansas Is Worth Paying For." He is also remembered for his opposition to [[capital punishment]] and his reform of the state prison system. He worked to stop illegal gambling in Hot Springs.