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?

3 answers

In the 1946 Governor’s Race in Georgia, the main contenders were Eugene Talmadge and Ellis Arnall. Talmadge was a segregationist who was supported by the white rural population, while Arnall was a progressive who advocated for civil rights and was supported by urban and African American voters.

The event took place in Georgia, specifically during the gubernatorial election in 1946.

The race was significant because it highlighted the divide between progressive and conservative politics in Georgia at the time. Talmadge ultimately won the election, but his victory was challenged due to allegations of voter fraud. This led to a controversial Supreme Court case and eventually resulted in the Georgia General Assembly choosing Arnall as governor. The 1946 Governor’s Race ultimately demonstrated the struggle for political power and representation in Georgia during a pivotal time in the state’s history.
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?
Who was involved? Eugene Talmadge and Ellis Arnall were the main contenders in the 1946 Governor’s Race in Georgia. Their supporters included white rural populations backing Talmadge and urban, African American voters supporting Arnall.

What happened? The 1946 Governor’s Race in Georgia was a fiercely contested election between the progressive Ellis Arnall and the segregationist Eugene Talmadge. Talmadge won the general election but died before being sworn in. This led to a controversial situation where the Georgia General Assembly selected Herman Talmadge, Eugene's son, as governor, even though Ellis Arnall had rightfully won the most votes in the primary and general elections.

Where did the event take place? The 1946 Governor's Race took place in the state of Georgia.

When did the event take place? The event took place in 1946.

Why is this event important to Georgia’s history? The 1946 Governor’s Race was significant in Georgia's history as it highlighted the political divisions between progressives and conservatives in the state. The race also brought to light issues of voter fraud, political manipulation, and the struggle for political power. The subsequent events, including the controversial selection of Herman Talmadge as governor, left a lasting impact on the state's political landscape.