SUMTER COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — On January 12, 1971, Sumter County’s own Jimmy Carter became the governor of Georgia.

Carter served as governor for just one term from 1971 until 1975.

He got national attention after saying in his inaugural address, “No poor, rural, weak or Black person should ever have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity of an education, a job or simple justice.”

As governor, Carter made sure that the state government aligned well with the needs of Georgians. That meant consolidating government agencies, reforming the state’s criminal justice system, promoting civil rights and mental health programs and laying the groundwork for a statewide kindergarten program.

Carter then announced his candidacy for president in December of 1974 and became the president of the United States in 1977.

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