1970 Georgia gubernatorial election facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
1970 Georgia gubernatorial election

← 1966 November 3, 1970 1974 →

Nominee Jimmy Carter Hal Suit Party Democrat Republican Popular vote 620,419 424,983 Percentage 59.3% 40.6%

County results Carter:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Suit:      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Lester Maddox Democrat Elected Governor Jimmy Carter Democrat

The 1970 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970. It was known for electing little-known former state Senator Jimmy Carter Governor of Georgia after a hard battle in the Democratic primary.

This election is famous because Carter, who was often seen as one of the New South Governors, later ran for president in 1976 on his gubernatorial record and won.

As of 2025, this is the last time Fulton County voted for the Republican candidate.

Democratic Primary results

First round

• Jimmy Carter – 388,280 (48.62%)
• Carl Sanders – 301,659 (37.77%)
• Chevene B. "C. B." King – 70,424 (8.82%)
• Ku Klux Klan leader Jesse Stoner – 17,663 (2.21%)
• McKee Hargett – 9,440 (1.18%)
• Thomas J. Irwin – 4,184 (0.52%)
• Adam B. Matthews – 3,332 (0.42%)

Runoff

A runoff was held on September 23:

• Carter – 506,462 (59.42%)
• Sanders – 345,906 (40.58%)

Republican Primary results

• Harold Columbus "Hal" Suit (1922–1994) – 62,868 (60.97%)
• James L. Bentley – 40,251 (39.03%)

General election