-
Eugene won the Georgia Primary for the democratic party, for his fourth time and ran nearly unopposed and took the seat for governor.
-
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.
-
"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. -
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.
-
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 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.
-
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.
-
"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.
-
Despite him losing to Melvin in court he persevered and started campaigning for the special election as soon as the court ruling was over.
-
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.
