Incumbent Democratic governor Harvey Parnell had won office in 1928, and was seeking reelection in 1930.

The Republicans nominated James Livesay, a lawyer from Foreman in Little River County.

Parnell defeated Livesay in a landslide election, but would see his popularity decline sharply in the next two years, as the Dust Bowl and Great Depression damaged the Arkansas economy.

Republicans did not hold primaries in Arkansas until the 1960s, instead nominating their candidates at the state convention.

James Livesay, a lawyer and judge from Foreman, was nominated as the Republican gubernatorial candidate.