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 a big election in the state of Georgia. It happened on November 3, 1970. This election was special because it chose Jimmy Carter to be the Governor of Georgia. Before this, he was a state senator, not very well-known.

This election became famous because Jimmy Carter, after serving as governor, later ran for president of the United States in 1976. He used his time as governor to show why he would be a good president, and he won! He was seen as one of the "New South Governors" who brought new ideas to the southern states.

As of today, this was the last time Fulton County voted for the Republican candidate in a governor's election.

Choosing a Candidate: The Primary Elections

Before the main election, each political party holds its own election. This is called a primary election. In the primary, members of the party vote to choose who will represent their party in the final election.

Democratic Party Primary: Who Would Run?

The Democratic Party had many people who wanted to be governor. Jimmy Carter was one of them. Here are the results from the first round of voting:

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

Democratic Primary Runoff: Carter's Big Win

Since no candidate won more than half of the votes in the first round, a second vote was held. This is called a runoff election. The runoff happened on September 23. It was between the top two candidates, Jimmy Carter and Carl Sanders.

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

Jimmy Carter won the runoff election. This meant he would be the Democratic Party's candidate for governor.

Republican Party Primary: Hal Suit is Chosen

The Republican Party also held a primary election to choose their candidate.

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

Hal Suit won the Republican primary. He would be the Republican Party's candidate for governor.

The Main Event: General Election Results

The general election is when all voters choose between the candidates from different parties. This final election took place on November 3, 1970.

Jimmy Carter won the election with a clear majority of the votes. He became the new Governor of Georgia.