The Players

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Herman Talmadge

M.E. Thompson

Ellis Arnall

Marvin Griffin

Three Governors Home

 Eugene Talmadge
(1884-1946)

Eugene Talmadge
"The poor dirt farmer ain't got but three friends
on this earth: God Almighty, Sears Roebuck, 
and Gene Talmadge."

Eugene Talmadge was elected governor of Georgia on four separate occasions: 1932, 1934, 1940, and 1946.  He also ran for the U.S. Senate in 1936 and 1938 losing in both bids.  Talmadge was a polarizing figure in Georgia politics.  People either loved or hated Talmadge.  The rural counties provided much of Talmadge's base of support while the urban counties consistently opposed him.  Talmadge was a master at campaigning on the "stump," and he was rarely beaten in candidate debates.

The major political mistake of Talmadge's career was a controversy at the University of Georgia.  As a member of the Board of Regents which oversees public higher education in Georgia, Talmadge had a professor fired for having integrationist views.  The University eventually lost its accreditation, and Talmadge was defeated for reelection in 1942, the only time that he ever lost a gubernatorial contest.

Talmadge's death in 1946, before being inaugurated governor, led to the three governor's controversy.

Ole' Gene at a Campaign Rally
Eugene Talmadge on the campaign trail


1942 Talmade Campaign Ad
A 1942 Campaign Advertisement















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