1946 Governor’s Race
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history?
People involved: Eugene Talmadge, James Carmichael, Ellis Arnall, Melvin Thompson
What happened: The 1946 Governor's race in Georgia was a contentious battle between incumbent Governor Ellis Arnall and former Governor Eugene Talmadge. Talmadge had lost his bid for re-election in 1942, but ran again in 1946, despite concerns about his health and age. Talmadge's opponent, James Carmichael, dropped out of the race, leaving Arnall as the main challenger. The election resulted in a deadlock, leading to a special election where Talmadge's son, Herman Talmadge, was elected as a write-in candidate. However, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that a write-in candidate was not valid and declared Arnall the winner.
Where: Georgia
When: 1946
Importance to Georgia's history: The 1946 Governor's race highlighted the power struggle within the Democratic Party in Georgia, as well as the influence of racism and segregation in state politics. The race also demonstrated the importance of the Georgia Supreme Court in upholding the state's laws and election procedures. Additionally, the fallout from the election led to changes in the state's electoral process, such as the implementation of a two-party system and the eventual desegregation of Georgia politics.