Sheffield Nelson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sheffield Nelson
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Nelson in 2011
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| Chair of the Arkansas Republican Party | |
| In office January 1, 1991 – August 21, 1992 Serving with Asa Hutchinson
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| Preceded by | Ken Coon |
| Succeeded by | Asa Hutchinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward Sheffield Nelson
April 23, 1941 Keevil, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 1989) Republican (since 1989) |
| Spouse | Mary McCastlain |
| Children | 2 daughters |
| Education | University of Central Arkansas (BA) University of Arkansas, Little Rock (JD) |
Edward Sheffield Nelson, born on April 23, 1941, is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from Little Rock, Arkansas. He first belonged to the Democratic Party. Later, he became a Republican. In 1990, he ran for governor of Arkansas as a Republican. He ran against Bill Clinton, who later became a U.S. president. In 1994, he ran for governor again.
Contents
Sheffield Nelson: A Life in Arkansas Politics
Early Life and Education
Sheffield Nelson was born in Keevil, Arkansas, a small town near Brinkley, Arkansas. This area is in Monroe County, Arkansas, in eastern Arkansas. He attended Brinkley High School.
After high school, he went to the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. He studied mathematics education there. While at the university, he was elected as the student body president. In 1969, he earned a law degree. He got his Juris Doctor from the William H. Bowen School of Law. This law school is part of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Career Before Politics
Before he started his political career, Nelson worked in the energy industry. From 1973 to 1984, he was the CEO of a natural gas company. This company was called Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company. Today, it is known as CenterPoint Energy.
Nelson has also served on important commissions. He was a member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights. From 2000 to 2007, he served on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. He was appointed to this role by Governor Mike Huckabee.
Stepping into Politics
Sheffield Nelson became very active in the Republican Party in Arkansas. From 1990 to 1992, he was the chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party. This means he was the leader of the party in the state.
After that, from 1992 to 2000, he was the Arkansas Republican National Committeeman. This is a role where he represented Arkansas Republicans at the national level.
Running for Governor
In 1990, Nelson decided to run for governor of Arkansas. He won the Republican nomination. In the main election, he ran against Bill Clinton, who was the governor at the time. Nelson lost this election.
In 1994, he tried again to become governor. He won the Republican primary election. In the general election, he was defeated by Democratic Governor Jim Guy Tucker. Tucker had become governor when Bill Clinton left to become president.
Continued Public Service
Sheffield Nelson has stayed involved in Arkansas politics. He has supported ideas like raising a tax on natural gas. This money would help improve highways.
In 2015, Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Nelson to a new role. He became a member of the board of trustees for the University of Arkansas. Nelson and Governor Hutchinson had worked together before as co-chairs of the Republican Party.
Family Life
Sheffield Nelson is married to Mary Lynn McCastlain. She is an artist and is also from Brinkley, Arkansas. They live in Little Rock.
They have two daughters and thirteen grandchildren. Nelson is currently a partner at a law firm in Little Rock.
