Carter ran against Carl Sanders (Governor of Georgia, 1963 – 1967) in the Democratic primary and won, leading him to face Hal Suit in November of 1970. In his inaugural speech on January 12, 1971, Carter became one of the first southern state politicians to declare publicly that segregation was over. He undertook a reorganization of Georgia 's state government that consolidated 265 agencies, boards, bureaus, and commissions into twenty. He was also committed to reforming education as well as the judicial and penal systems. Under Carter's governorship, Georgia 's natural resources were further preserved and an awareness of growing energy problems was created.

Buttons from Carter's presidential campaign. From the Paul Broun Collection of Jimmy Carter Campaign Memorabilia, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries.