With the end of Governor Nunn's term approaching, a rivalry for leadership of the state Democratic party developed between Lieutenant Governor Wendell H. Ford, who had served as Combs' chief administrative assistant during his gubernatorial term, and Julian M. Carroll, speaker of the state House of Representatives.[56] As soon as Combs resigned from the Court of Appeals, Democratic leaders began asking him to seek the party's gubernatorial nomination in 1971, uniting the party behind him rather than splintering it between Ford and Carroll.[56] In June 1970, Carroll announced his intent to run for lieutenant governor, indicating that he would like to serve under Combs as governor.[56] While Combs considered whether or not to seek the nomination, Ford declared his candidacy.[56] Days later, Combs also entered the race.[57]