One of the more embarrassing times in Georgia’s history was the 1946 governor’s race also known as the “Three Governors’ Controversy.” This made Georgia a nationwide laughing stock and further lowered its already tarnished reputation. More importantly, this election led to a series of segregationist governors who ended some of the progressive reforms made by Governor Ellis Arnall. In November 1946, Eugene Talmadge was elected for a fourth term as governor, but died before taking office. A struggle ensued, with three men claiming the office:
–Herman Talmadge – the son of Eugene Talmadge
–Ellis Arnall – the current Governor
–Melvin E. Thompson – the Lieutenant Governor
Many of Eugene Talmadge’s supporters believed that due to his poor health that he may die before his election. They discovered that based on past Georgia law that the General Assembly would have the power to select the second or third leading vote-getter if the governor-elect died before taking office. With this in mind, many secretly wrote in Herman Talmadge for governor. However, the new Georgia constitution stated that the lieutenant governor would take office if the governor died. During the same time, the outgoing governor, Ellis Arnall, refused to leave the office until the issue was solved. Talmadge eventually had state troopers escort Arnall out of the capitol and changed the locks of the governor’s office. Arnall, in turn, refused to give up the governors seal and set up a second “governor’s office” in a different location of the capitol. Arnall finally gave up his claim to the governorship and supported Thompson. In the end, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Thompson was the rightful governor and Talmadge left the governor’s office within two hours of the ruling. A special election was called in 1948 and Talmadge closely defeated Thompson
–Herman Talmadge – the son of Eugene Talmadge
–Ellis Arnall – the current Governor
–Melvin E. Thompson – the Lieutenant Governor
Many of Eugene Talmadge’s supporters believed that due to his poor health that he may die before his election. They discovered that based on past Georgia law that the General Assembly would have the power to select the second or third leading vote-getter if the governor-elect died before taking office. With this in mind, many secretly wrote in Herman Talmadge for governor. However, the new Georgia constitution stated that the lieutenant governor would take office if the governor died. During the same time, the outgoing governor, Ellis Arnall, refused to leave the office until the issue was solved. Talmadge eventually had state troopers escort Arnall out of the capitol and changed the locks of the governor’s office. Arnall, in turn, refused to give up the governors seal and set up a second “governor’s office” in a different location of the capitol. Arnall finally gave up his claim to the governorship and supported Thompson. In the end, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Thompson was the rightful governor and Talmadge left the governor’s office within two hours of the ruling. A special election was called in 1948 and Talmadge closely defeated Thompson
Three Governors Controversy Video
Herman Talmadge Comments on Controversy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=8Zgc_7QypH0