James Lee "Jim" Sheets | |
|---|---|
| Arkansas State Representative for Benton County | |
| In office January 1, 1967 – December 31, 1968 | |
| Succeeded by | Preston Bynum |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 29, 1931 Arkansas City, Cowley County Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | March 1, 2020 (aged 88) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Martha Hamlin Sheets (married 1954) |
| Children | Four adopted children: Kimberly S. Norton |
| Residence(s) | Bella Vista, Benton County, Arkansas |
| Alma mater | Enid High School John Brown University |
| Occupation | Educator Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1955-1958 |
James Lee Sheets (March 29, 1931 – March 1, 2020), known as Jim Sheets, was a businessman from Bella Vista, Arkansas who was a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives in the Republican Party. From 1967 to 1968, Sheets represented Benton County for a single term in the lower legislative chamber.[1]
Sheets was the first member of the Republican Party in the 20th century sent to the legislature from Benton County in the far northwestern portion of the state. In time, Benton County became the GOP’s banner county in Arkansas.[2] Sheets did not seek reelection because of the time required away from his employment as public relations director of his alma mater, the Christian-affiliated John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.[3] At the time, evangelicals had not yet organized politically to become a vital part of the Republican voter base; with many still active in the Democratic Party.
- ^ "James Lee Sheets". Westfield chapel. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Benton County was not traditionally Republican; prior to 1950, the GOP for decades had controlled at the local level neighboring Searcy and Newton counties in northwestern Arkansas. In 1964, Newton County, however, voted for Orval Faubus over Winthrop Rockefeller in the gubernatorial general election.
- ^ Statement of James Lee Sheets, Bella Vista, Arkansas, June 2009.