Steve Clark (Arkansas politician)

Steve Clark (Arkansas politician)
source
Name	Steve Clark
Office	48th Attorney General of Arkansas
Governor	Bill Clinton
Term start	January 9, 1979
Term end	October 3, 1990
Predecessor	Bill Clinton
Successor	Ron Fields
Office2	Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
Term start2	1973
Term end2	1979
Birth date	28 January 1943
Birth place	Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Zoe Clark, 1965
Education	University of Arkansas (BA, JD)

Steve Clark (Arkansas politician) is an American attorney and former Democratic politician from the state of Arkansas. He served as the 48th Attorney General of Arkansas from 1979 until his resignation in 1990, following a felony conviction. Clark's tenure was marked by consumer protection initiatives but ended in a significant political scandal that reshaped the state's political landscape.

Early life and education

Steve Clark was born on January 28, 1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas. He pursued his higher education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his studies at the University of Arkansas School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor degree. During his time at the university, he was active in student politics and various campus organizations, which laid the groundwork for his future career in public service.

Political career

Clark began his political career by winning election to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 1972, representing a district in Pulaski County. He served in the state legislature from 1973 to 1979, where he focused on legal and judicial reform. In 1978, he was elected Attorney General of Arkansas, succeeding Bill Clinton, who was elected Governor of Arkansas. As Attorney General, Clark was known for his aggressive stance on consumer protection, establishing a dedicated consumer protection division within the office. He also gained attention for his involvement in multi-state lawsuits against major corporations and his work on environmental enforcement cases alongside the Environmental Protection Agency.

Legal issues and controversies

Clark's political career unraveled in 1990 following an investigation by the Arkansas State Police and a special prosecutor. He was indicted by a Pulaski County grand jury on felony charges related to the misuse of public funds and submitting false expense vouchers. The charges stemmed from allegations that he used his state-issued credit card for personal travel and dining expenses, which he then documented as official state business. In October 1990, Clark pleaded guilty to a felony count of filing a false claim and resigned from the office of Attorney General of Arkansas. He was sentenced to probation and community service, and his law license was suspended by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Personal life

Clark married Zoe Clark in 1965, and the couple has two children. Following his resignation and legal troubles, he largely retreated from public life. He has since worked in the private sector as an attorney, though his law practice has been limited. He has occasionally been involved in local civic and charitable organizations in the Little Rock area but has maintained a low profile in state politics.

Electoral history

* 1972 – Elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives from Pulaski County. * 1974 – Re-elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives. * 1976 – Re-elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives. * 1978 – Elected Attorney General of Arkansas, defeating Republican nominee Lynn A. Davis. * 1982 – Re-elected Attorney General of Arkansas, defeating Republican George Jernigan. * 1986 – Re-elected Attorney General of Arkansas, defeating Republican Frank Lady.

Category:1943 births Category:Attorneys general of Arkansas Category:Arkansas Democrats Category:Members of the Arkansas House of Representatives Category:University of Arkansas alumni Category:University of Arkansas School of Law alumni Category:Living people Category:People from Little Rock, Arkansas