Bill Clements

Bill Clements portrait

Bill Clements

U.S.A.

Party Republican
Latest Campaign State Governor
Date of Birth April 13, 1917
Date of Death May 29, 2011 (Age: 94)
Overall Community Sentiment: Neutral

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Overview
Community
Analysis
Personal Background

Bill Clements graduated from high school and briefly studied engineering before embarking on a career in the oil industry. He founded an offshore drilling company and later served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. Clements transitioned to public service, spending four years as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense. He leveraged his business acumen and leadership experience to run for and serve as governor of Texas, where he focused on economic growth, education, and criminal justice. Despite facing significant political challenges, Clements made notable decisions, such as commuting a death sentence and addressing the Ixtoc I oil spill.

Political Ideas

Bill Clements's political career is marked by a blend of business acumen and strategic policymaking that often defies conventional ideological boundaries. His tenure as governor was characterized by a focus on economic growth and crime reduction, while his environmental record includes the controversial Ixtoc I oil spill. Clements's approach to foreign relations, particularly with Mexico, reveals a pragmatic yet principled stance on border issues. His commutation of a death sentence and the subsequent controversy surrounding another execution highlight a complex, sometimes contradictory, approach to criminal justice.

Campaigns
1986: Texas State Governor
ELECTED

Election History

General election results

1,813,779 votes (52.70%)

Win

Texas Governor 1986, Republican Primary Results

318,808 votes (58.53%)

Win
1982: Texas State Governor

Election History

General election Results

1,465,937 votes (45.94%)

Loss

Winner: Mark White

Texas Governor 1982, Republican Primary Results

246,120 votes (92.58%)

Win
1978: Texas State Governor
ELECTED

Election History

General election results

1,183,828 votes (49.96%)

Win

Texas Governor 1978, Republican Primary Results

115,345 votes (72.82%)

Win