The 1970 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1970. It was marked by the election as Governor of Georgia of the relatively little-known former state senator Jimmy Carter after a hard battle in the Democratic primary. This election is famous because Carter, who was often regarded as one of the New South Governors, later ran for president in 1976 on his gubernatorial record and won. , this was the last time Fulton County was carried by the Republican candidate in a gubernatorial election, the only time it failed to back Carter, and the last time a Democrat in any race won without carrying it. Background Under the Georgia constitution of 1945, incumbent Democratic governor Lester Maddox was prohibited from seeking re-election. Democratic primary Candidates Jimmy Carter, former State Senator from Plains Thomas J. Irwin McKee Hargett Chevene Bowers King, founder of the Albany Movement and candidate for State Representative in 1964 Adam B. Matthews Carl E. Sanders, former Governor (1963–67) J. B. Stoner, white supremacist Campaign Initially the strongest candidate was former governor Carl E. Sanders. Sanders was a moderate, who worked to improve education, the environment and led the transition away from racial segregation with cooperation with the United States Federal Government. He left office at the peak of his popularity. His main opponent was former state senator and candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1966 Jimmy Carter. Democratic primary election results Runoff A runoff was held on September 23. Despite Sanders's initial front-runner status and popularity, Carter won by nearly 20 points. Lieutenant governor Governor Maddox ran for lieutenant governor and won the nomination. Although Maddox was elected as a Democratic candidate at the same time as Jimmy Carter's election as governor as a Democratic candidate, the two were not running mates; in Georgia, particularly in that era of Democratic dominance, the winners of the primary elections went on to easy victories in the general elections without campaigning together as an official ticket or as running mates. Republican primary Candidates James L. Bentley, Comptroller of Georgia since 1963 Hal Suit, TV news presenter Campaign At this time, Georgia was still regarded as a part of the Democratic Party's Solid South, despite the Republican plurality in the 1966 gubernatorial race. The Democratic position in 1970 was again regarded as safe. TV newsman Hal Suit faced Comptroller James L. Bentley, who had been elected as a Democrat but