Jimmy Carter's Rise to Politics

Jimmy Carter’s journey into politics began after his service in the Navy, driven by a desire to address the slow pace of civil rights changes in the South. Upon returning to Georgia, he was shocked to discover widespread corruption during his first campaign for the Georgia State Senate, revealing blatant voting abuses orchestrated by powerful local figures. Specifically, he faced intimidation by a political boss who controlled the distribution of welfare checks and manipulated elections. Carter’s exposure of these issues garnered media attention, ultimately aiding his eventual victory and leading him to initiate significant reforms in Georgia's election code.