He left the private sector to seek public office and was elected as Arkansas Attorney General in 1970. He was elected two years later to Congress. He defeated fellow Democrats Richard S. Arnold of Texarkana and Richard Mays, El Dorado in the primary, with no Republican in the race.
He left his private sector role for public office and became Arkansas Attorney General in 1970. Two years later, he was elected to Congress. He defeated two Democratic candidates, Richard S. Arnold of Texarkana and Richard Mays, El Dorado, in the primary election.