The collections in the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies hold a wealth of material connected to United States President and Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter. The beginning of what has become an admired political career is chronicled through the papers of such people as Senator Herman Talmadge, Senator Richard B. Russell, State Representative George L. Smith, U.S. Representative John Davis, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, and State Representative Janet S. Merritt.
Carter's correspondence with these individuals displays his devotion to the welfare of his community as shown in his letter to Senator Talmadge regarding a new post office in Plains written in 1960. Running for the state senate in 1962 and remaining in office until 1966, Carter's work in state politics was reflected in his work on such committees as Defense and Veterans Affairs and Public Schools. In 1966 Carter opted not to run for his state senate seat and ran for governor instead. Although he lost the Democratic primary, he garnered enough votes to force a run-off between Ellis Arnall and Lester Maddox, resulting in victory for the latter. Carter spent his time after the '66 campaign in Plains working on civic matters and planning his run for governor in 1970. |
1976. The cartoon above shows a pleased Jimmy Carter next to Lester Maddox holding a sign that reads “THIS IS MADDOX COUNTRY” (Maddox’s campaign slogan). The word “MADDOX” has been replaced by the word “PEANUT”, symbolizing Carter’s previous career as a peanut farmer and the change in state and national politics. From the Clifford Baldowski Editorial Cartoon Collection. Created for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and licensed to the Richard B. Rusell Library for Political Research and Studies by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. |
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