Bill Gwatney

American politician (1959–2008)

Bill Gwatney (August 26, 1959[1] – August 13, 2008) was an American politician. He served as the State Chair of the Democratic Party of Arkansas.[2] Prior to being State Chair, he was a State Senator for ten years. He had also been the financial chair for Mike Beebe's run for Governor of Arkansas in 2006. He owned three car dealerships in Pulaski County.[1][3] Gwatney was selected as a superdelegate at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, but was assassinated before the convention. He was replaced by his widow Rebecca Rankin.

Murder change

On August 13, 2008, Gwatney was assassinated by Timothy Dale Johnson,[4][5] who entered Democratic Party headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas. Johnson shot Gwatney three times.[6] Gwatney was taken to a hospital, but was dead on arrival later that day.[7]

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Bill Gwatney, Ark. Dem. chairman, shot dead at 48". The Associated Press. August 13, 2008. Archived from the original on 18 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  2. AP story Archived August 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "The Cabin article". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2017-06-27.
  4. "Arkansas Democratic Chairman Gwatney Killed In Shooting". RTT News. 2008-08-13. Archived from the original on 2008-08-18. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  5. "Gunman wounds Ark. Dems' party chairman". The Associated Press. 2008-08-13. Archived from the original on 14 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  6. Shaila Dewan (2008-08-13). "Gunman Critically Wounds Arkansas Democratic Party Chairman". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
  7. "Arkansas Democratic chairman killed in shooting". CNN. August 13, 2008. Archived from the original on 15 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-13.