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Encyclopedia > Ellis Arnall

Ellis Gibbs Arnall (March 20, 1907 - December 13, 1992) was an American politician who served as the Governor of the U.S. state of Georgia from 1943 to 1947.


Arnall was born in Newnan, Georgia. He attended the Mercer University before transferring to the University of the South. Arnall then went to the University of Georgia law school, which he finished in 1931.


The voters of Coweta County, Georgia elected Arnall to the State House of Representatives in 1932. Arnall was elected 'Speaker Pro Tempore', the second highest officer position in the Georgia house. Governor Eurith D. Rivers appointed Arnall to a vacancy in the office of state attorney general. At the age of 31, Arnall was named state attorney general.


Governor Eugene Talmadge's actions had caused the state's colleges to lose accreditation. Arnall ran against him in 1942, defeating him and becoming the youngest governor in America.


Arnall repealed the poll tax, lowered the voting age, revised the state constitution and paid off the state's debt. He also led efforts to prevent the governor from establishing a dictatorship such as the one that some said existed under Governor Talmadge. Arnall's reforms won him attention from the national press.


But his career declined as he was unable to persuade the State Legislature to allow him to seek re-election. Arnall also stood behind Henry A. Wallace's efforts to remain Vice President in 1944. Arnall also refused to defy the Supreme Court ruling banning the all-white Democratic party primary. This enraged Talmadge and his supporters, who used the issue to brand Arnall a 'race-traitor'.


Eugene Talmadge was elected governor in 1946, but he died in December, before he was due to take office in January 1947. The state legislature then elected Talmadge's son, Herman Talmadge, to the office of Governor. Arnall refused to leave office during the controversy, and the younger Talmadge ended up locking Arnall out of his office in the state capital. Arnall soon renounced his claim and endorsed Melvin E. Thompson's claim to the Governor's office.


After leaving office, Arnall worked as an attorney and a businessman in Atlanta. Arnall worked in the Truman administration for a short time as well.


Arnall's last campaign was for Governor in 1966. He came in first in the primary, but lacked a majority, forcing him into a runoff with Lester Maddox. Maddox defeated Arnall in the runoff. During the general election, Arnall ran a 'write-in' campaign, which indirectly helped elect Maddox. Maddox lost the popular vote to Republican Howard Callaway, but the votes for Arnall denied Callaway a majority and the state legislature elected Maddox governor.


After the 1966 campaign, Arnall never sought public office again.


  Results from FactBites:
 
Georgia Biography -- Political Figures (899 words)
Two-term Atlanta mayor who guided early racial integration, oversaw the planning and construction of major transportation infrastructure, and brought professional sports to the city.
Arnall was an energetic, progressive governor whose four years in office witnessed significant reform as well as fiscal efficiency.
One of Georgia's most distinguished jurists, Judge Bleckley served as chief justice of the state supreme court for almost ten years and is the namesake of Bleckley County.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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