During the Solid South period, winning the Democratic nomination was tantamount to election in several Southern states, including Arkansas.
He earned high praise from The Camden News, saying "there are not many men in Arkansas more widely known or held in higher esteem for actual accomplishments, than Lawrence Wilson."
The Polk County Examiner said "men like Lawrence Wilson are needed to guide the ship of state past the rocks of exploitation and graft" and "no more fit man can be found for the office to which he aspires".
Though all 35 members were Democrats, the party had split into two factions, requiring Wilson to use his vote as a tiebreaker on several occasions.
When interviewed, the Acting Governor said he "had no apologies to offer" saying he issued the pardon "on account of his grief stricken mother".
[19] This followed a similar use of furlough by Wilson in April freeing William R. Atkins, a bank robber from Hempstead County.
[21] Instead, he faced a field of six challengers in the Democratic primary, including previous lieutenant governor Lee Cazort, who he lost to.