Sheffield Nelson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sheffield Nelson
|
|
|---|---|
Nelson in 2011
|
|
| Chair of the Arkansas Republican Party | |
| In office January 1, 1991 – August 21, 1992 Serving with Asa Hutchinson
|
|
| 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 April 23, 1941) is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician. He is from Little Rock, Arkansas, the capital city of Arkansas. Mr. Nelson first belonged to the Democratic Party. Later, in 1989, he became a member of the Republican Party. As a Republican, he ran for governor of Arkansas in 1990 against Bill Clinton, who later became a U.S. president. He also ran for governor in 1994 against Jim Guy Tucker.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sheffield Nelson was born in Keevil, Arkansas. This town is near Brinkley in Monroe County, eastern Arkansas. He went to Brinkley High School. After high school, he studied mathematics education. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. While there, he was the president of the student body. In 1969, he earned a law degree. He received this degree from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Career Before Politics
Before he became involved in politics, Mr. Nelson had a successful business career. 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.
Mr. Nelson has also served in important public roles. 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. Governor Mike Huckabee appointed him to this position.
Political Career
Sheffield Nelson became a key figure in the Arkansas Republican Party. From 1990 to 1992, he was the chairman of the Arkansas Republican Party. After that, from 1992 to 2000, he was Arkansas's Republican National Committeeman. This role was once held by Winthrop Rockefeller. Rockefeller helped the Republican Party grow in Arkansas.
In 1990, Nelson won the Republican nomination for governor. He defeated Tommy F. Robinson in a challenging primary election. However, he lost the general election to Bill Clinton. In 1994, he tried again to become governor. He won the Republican primary against Steve Luelf and Bill Jones. Even with a strong campaign, he was defeated again. Democratic Governor Jim Guy Tucker won the election. Governor Tucker had taken over from Bill Clinton in 1992. Nelson had predicted that Governor Tucker might face legal issues. Governor Tucker later had to step down from his role in 1996.
Continued Public Involvement
Sheffield Nelson has remained active in Arkansas politics. He has supported ideas like raising the natural gas severance tax. This tax would help fund improvements for highways. He has also spoken out about government transparency. He believes that public information should be easily available.
In 2015, Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Nelson to the University of Arkansas board of trustees. Nelson and Hutchinson had previously worked together as co-chairs for the Republican Party. Sheffield Nelson is one of four Republicans whom Bill Clinton defeated for governor. The others were Lynn Lowe, Frank D. White, and Woody Freeman.
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. Mr. Nelson is currently a partner at a law firm in Little Rock.
