Winthrop Paul Rockefeller (born September 17, 1948), is currently Lieutenant Governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas and a member of the prestigious Rockefeller family. He was elected Lt. Governor in a 1996 special election triggered by the resignation of Governor Jim Guy Tucker and the promotion of then-Lt. Governor Mike Huckabee. Rockefeller was subsequently re-elected in 1998 to a full four year term, receiving 67% of the vote. As Lt. Governor in 1997, he created Books in the Attic, a program using existing resources and volunteers to ensure access to reading opportunities for all children.

Rockefeller is well known for representing the liberal wing of the Republican Party in Arkansas. In the past, he has drawn a great deal of criticism from conservatives for his support of Planned Parenthood and legal abortion. Religious political activists have greatly criticized a fundraiser he held in his home in support of the organization.[1] Rockefeller is also unique in that as a Republican in a conservative state like Arkansas he is a supporter of what social conservatives consider to be special rights for homosexuals. In particular, Mr. Rockefeller's support of hate crimes legislation protecting gays has been vehemently attacked. Lt. Governor Rockefeller is currently vying for the Republican nomination to run for Governor of Arkansas in the 2006 general election. He will face Asa Hutchinson in the Republican primary election in May, 2006.

Rockefeller is the immediate past president of the Quapaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and currently serves on the Boy Scouts National Board of Directors. He served from 1981 to 1995 on the Arkansas State Police Commission . In 1991, he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Rural America and was elected chairman. Rockefeller serves as chief executive of Winrock Farms, Inc. and has interests in various small businesses around the state in the areas of retailing, automobiles, farming and the resort industry. He is an active member of the National Federation of Independent Business . He is a graduate of Pembroke College, Oxford University, and Texas Christian University.

External links

• Arkansas Lt. Governor Website