Three governors controversy

Three governors controversy: 1946-1947
Claim Claim Claim
Herman Talmadge Ellis Arnall Melvin Thompson
Democratic Democratic Democratic
Claim: Elected by the General Assembly Claim: Being the incumbent governor Claim: Being the lieutenant governor
Outcome: Resigned Outcome: Resigned Outcome: Declared sole governor
Ellis Arnall (left) being denied entry to the governor's Capitol office during the controversy











The Three governors controversy was a political crisis in the U.S. state of Georgia, from 1946 to 1947. On December 21, 1946, Eugene Talmadge, the governor-elect of Georgia, died before taking office. The state constitution did not specify who would assume the governorship in such a situation, so three men made claims to the governorship: Ellis Arnall, the outgoing governor; Melvin E. Thompson, the lieutenant governor-elect; and Herman Talmadge, Eugene Talmadge's son. Eventually a ruling by the Supreme Court of Georgia settled the matter in favor of Thompson. Georgia's Secretary of State Ben Fortson hid the state seal in his wheelchair so no official business could be conducted until the controversy was settled.