The 1946 Governor’s Race in Georgia was a contentious and racially charged election. Eugene Talmadge, a segregationist and populist, won the Democratic primary but passed away before he could take office. Talmadge’s death led to a power struggle between his son, Herman Talmadge, and the current Lieutenant Governor, Melvin Thompson. The state Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of Thompson, making him governor and leading to a split within the Democratic Party. This event marked a turning point in Georgia politics and set the stage for future power struggles between segregationists and moderates.
