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Eugene Talmadge won the Georgia Primary.
Eugene won the Georgia Primary for the democratic party, for his fourth time and ran nearly unopposed and took the seat for governor. -
Eugene Talmadge died before his fourth Governor Inauguration in 1947
Due to Eugene Talmadge impromptu death, it caused a dispute of who would become governor between the legislature and General Assembly. The General Assembly elected his son Herman Talmadge a secret write-in candidate but the lieutenant governor Melvin Thompson an anti talmadge opposer claimed the seat. Also, Ellis Arnall refused t let the seat of governor go. Eventually the Georgia Supreme Court fixed the dispute. -
Melvin E. Thompson was elected Lieutenant Governor
"The constitution was not clear about whether
the lieutenant governor–elect would succeed if the governor-elect died before he took the oath of office. Melvin E. Thompson, a member of the anti-Talmadge camp, was elected lieutenant governor in 1946. Naturally, the Talmadge forces were not eager for Thompson to become the next governor." Verbatim from level 3 passage. -
Georgia's General Assembly discussing governor vacancy of Georgia
The General Assembly discussed the matter of who should be governor and they should make it a swift and easy process since there was no governor at the time of the session. -
The General Assembly elected Herman Talmadge as Governor
As soon as the General Assembly elected Herman, Melvin Thompson declared legal proceedings to request the Georgia Supreme Court. Arnall still wouldn't relinquish the governor seat without proper voting counts. He removed Arnall from office and changed the locks and claimed the governor's seat for himself. -
Arnall being removed by state troopers out of City Hall
Arnall still wouldn't relinquish the governor seat without proper voting counts. So, Talmadge removed Arnall from office by calling state troopers to escort him to his house and changed the locks and claimed the governor's seat for himself. -
Georgia Supreme Court ruled in favor of Melvin E. Thompson
In the judges eyes Melvin was the rightful owner of the governor's seat and position in March of 1947 due to a 5 to 2 decision in his favor instead of Herman's until the special election would occur in 1948. -
Herman earned respect and votes from WW2 Veterans.
"His handling of the court decision earned him a great deal of respect among younger voters and returning World War II (1941-45) veterans." Verbatim of level 3 passage. -
Herman Talmadge started campaigning for special election of 1948
Despite him losing to Melvin in court he persevered and started campaigning for the special election as soon as the court ruling was over. -
Herman Talmadge wins special election governor's race of 1948
Hard-core Eugene Talmadge supporters, the "wool hat boys," flocked to young Herman because of their perception that the anti-Talmadge forces had stolen the election. The events of
1946-48 also marked the last gasp of the anti-Talmadge faction. After Herman Talmadge's easy victory over Thompson in 1948, no avowed member of that faction ever occupied the governor's
office again.
