Two weeks before the primary, Combs was endorsed by former Vice-President and native Kentuckian Alben W. Barkley, but Combs felt the endorsement came too late to be much help.[24] Chandler defeated Combs in the primary by a vote of 259,875 to 241,754 and went on to win his second term as governor.[11] Combs returned to Prestonsburg, set up a savings and loan company, and re-established his law practice.[24] During the four years of Chandler's term, Combs accepted a number of speaking engagements, but otherwise remained out of the public eye.[25] Meanwhile, the state's need for funds compelled Chandler to raise the state sales tax and other taxes, despite his campaign promises not to do so.[26] Consequently, Chandler lost credibility and Combs gained a reputation as a courageous, forthright, and honest politician for having acknowledged the state's financial need during the campaign.[26]