The 1970 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970. It was marked by the election as Governor of Georgia of the relatively little-known former state senator Jimmy Carter after a hard battle in the Democratic primary. This election is famous because Carter, who was often regarded as one of the New South Governors, later ran for president in 1976 on his gubernatorial record and won. As of 2025, this was the last time Fulton County was carried by the Republican candidate in a gubernatorial election, the only time it failed to back Carter, and the last time a Democrat in any race won without carrying it. It is also the last time that Clarke County voted for the Republican candidate for governor.
Background.
Under the Georgia constitution of 1945, incumbent Democratic governor Lester Maddox was prohibited from seeking re-election.
Democratic primary.
Initially the strongest candidate was former governor Carl E. Sanders. Sanders was a moderate, who worked to improve education, the environment and led the transition away from racial segregation with cooperation with the United States Federal Government. He left office at the peak of his popularity.
His main opponent was former state senator and candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1966 Jimmy Carter.
Controversy.
Civil rights.
Prior to this campaign, Jimmy Carter appeared to be a proponent of civil rights and desegregation. In 1954 he refused to join the White Citizens Council despite immense pressure and went on to vote against segregation for his church in 1965. However, after failing to run as a moderate in the Georgia Gubernatorial Election of 1966, Carter's new strategy in 1970 was designed to attract the pro-segregationist vote. Poll data suggested that the appearance of a pro-segregationist position could be critical to winning the race, even if it was never overtly stated. In order to shore up segregationist support, Carter made overtures to numerous racial organizations, and even personally called the cofounder of the White Citizens Council. Carter's apparent support for segregation sparked animosity with his opponent Carl Sanders. Sanders claims that when his own campaign had presented the same poll data, he refused to pursue a strategy on it for moral reasons. Furthermore, Carter's campaign printed numerous pamphlets insinuating Sanders was too "chummy" with blacks.
Ultimately, Carter himself has expressed embarrassment and regret over his strategy. After being elected, he reversed his position on segregation prominently, stating in his 1971 gubernatorial inaugural address "The time for racial discrimination is over." Though attendees could be heard booing, this declaration was hardly controversial even for a Southern governor, as many had already made similar statements by that time.
Carter won praise for his strategy from Leroy Johnson, who stated "I understand why he ran that kind of ultra-conservative campaign. You have to do that to win. And that is the main thing. I don't believe you can win [Georgia] without being a racist."
References.
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