Edwin Ruthvin Bethune

Republican Representative of Arkansas's 2nd district

Representative
Arkansas, district 2
January 15, 1979 - January 3, 1981
Representative
Arkansas, district 2
January 5, 1981 - January 3, 1983
Representative
Arkansas, district 2
January 3, 1983 - January 3, 1985

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1935 (90 years old)

Birthday

Served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Arkansas for three terms (1979-1985).
Born and raised in Pocahontas, Arkansas; graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1953.
Served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957, including service in South Korea.
Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1963 from the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
Admitted to the Arkansas bar in 1963 and began his legal practice in Pocahontas.
Worked with former Arkansas Republican Party chairman Odell Pollard, who served as his political mentor.
Served as a prosecuting attorney for the First Judicial District of Arkansas from 1970 to 1971.
Chaired the Ninth District Federal Home Loan Bank Board from 1973 to 1976.
Ran unsuccessfully for Arkansas attorney general in 1972 against Democrat James Guy Tucker Jr.
Elected to the U.S. House in 1978, reelected in 1980 and 1982, making federal taxes and spending his chief concern.
Opposed Reagan’s proposal to sell AWACS fighter planes to Saudi Arabia, joining efforts to maintain Arkansas’ 10 percent interest ceiling for retail loans.
Ran for the U.S. Senate in 1984 but was defeated by incumbent Senator Pryor.
Served as the Arkansas Republican Party state Chairman from 1986 to 1988.
Resisted suggestions to run for governor in 1986, with the nomination going to Frank White.
Also known for his work as a lawyer, lobbyist, and novelist based in Little Rock, Arkansas.