In 1992, Arkansas gave Bill Clinton his most decisive home-state victory in decades

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When Bill Clinton won his home state of Arkansas in 1992, he achieved a rare political feat. Not only did he secure an absolute majority of the popular vote, but he also set a record for the highest number of votes ever cast for a Democrat in the state's history.

On November 3, 1992, Arkansas voters selected six electors for the Electoral College, ultimately handing a significant victory to the state's incumbent governor, Bill Clinton. Clinton captured 53.21% of the popular vote, comfortably outpacing President George H. W. Bush, who received 35.48%, and businessman Ross Perot, who finished with 10.43%. This 17.73% margin marked a notable shift, as the state had previously supported Republican presidential nominees in 1980, 1984, and 1988.

The election was unique for its statistical milestones. Clinton’s total of 505,823 votes remains the highest count ever achieved by a Democratic presidential candidate in Arkansas. Furthermore, Arkansas joined only Washington, D.C. In a broader context, Arkansas was one of only three states—alongside Maryland and New York—where Clinton’s raw vote total surpassed the combined tallies of Bush and Perot.

The electoral map within the state was equally striking. Clinton carried every county except for five: Benton, Crawford, Pope, Searcy, and Sebastian. This election cycle holds historical significance as the last time several counties, including Baxter, Carroll, and Newton, supported a Democratic presidential candidate. While Clinton enjoyed broad support, including 50% of the white vote, the election also saw Republicans gain seats in the state legislature and the U.S. House delegation, even as Democratic Senator Dale Bumpers won reelection.

This 1992 contest represents the most recent instance of Arkansas trending more Democratic relative to the national average. It stands as a singular moment in the state's political history, marking the last time the state swung toward the Democratic party. Since that time, the political landscape has shifted significantly, leaving the 1992 results as a benchmark for a bygone era of electoral behavior in the state.

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