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Three Governors Controversy

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@ Atlanta History Center

Description

View of two unidentified African American men handing slips of paper to appointed Georgia Governor Herman Talmadge while another unidentified man looks on during the "three governors controversy," in Georgia.The "three governors' controversy" began with the death of Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge in 1946. After his death, a political struggle for the governor's office ensued involving the incumbent governor Ellis Arnall, the newly elected Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson, and Talmadge's son Herman, who was subsequently elected by the Georgia Assembly. In March of 1947 the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Melvin Thompson was rightful governor until a special election could be held in 1948. Herman Talmadge won that election, defeating Ellis Arnall.

Record Contributed By

Atlanta History Center

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia