Sheffield Nelson (Class of 1959)

Lawyer and politician who ran as the Republican nominee for governor of Arkansas in 1990 against Bill Clinton.

What is Sheffield Nelson (Class of 1959) known for?

Sheffield Nelson (Class of 1959), lawyer and politician who ran as the Republican nominee for governor of Arkansas in 1990 against Bill Clinton.

Edward Sheffield Nelson, known as Sheffield Nelson, was born on April 23, 1941, in Keevil, Arkansas near Brinkley. As a proud alumnus of Brinkley High School, he later pursued an undergraduate degree in Mathematics Education from the University of Central Arkansas, where he served as the student body president. Sheffield Nelson later earned a Juris Doctor degree from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, marking the commencement of his accomplished legal career.

Nelson is widely recognized for his prominent roles as a businessman, attorney, and politician. He served as the CEO of a natural gas company, Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company, from 1973 to 1984. This company is now known as CenterPoint Energy.

In politics, Nelson initially identified as a Democrat. However, he ran for the governor of Arkansas as a Republican in 1990 against then-governor and future U.S. President, Bill Clinton. He again contested for the same seat in 1994 against incumbent Governor Jim Guy Tucker. Nelson also held the position of Chair for the Arkansas Republican Party from January 1, 1991, to August 21, 1992.

Apart from his involvement in business and politics, Nelson dedicated part of his life to public service. He served on the United States Commission on Civil Rights. His life and influence have left an indelible mark on both his local community in Arkansas and the broader American society.