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Thompson's first political venture was an unsuccessful race on September 27, 1961, to fill a vacancy on the Bibb County Commission. Earlier, he had left Friedman's and opened his own jewelry business in Macon. Thompson reasoned, correctly as it turned out, that publicity from a campaign would generate new customers to his fledgling business. He finished fourth in a field of six but had been bitten by the political bug. The winner of the race, Andy Watson, polled nearly twice as many votes as Thompson.<ref>Buddy Moore, Thesis, p. 11</ref>

Thompson's first political venture was an unsuccessful race on September 27, 1961, to fill a vacancy on the Bibb County Commission. Earlier, he had left Friedman's and opened his own jewelry business in Macon. Thompson reasoned, correctly as it turned out, that publicity from a campaign would generate new customers to his fledgling business. He finished fourth in a field of six but had been bitten by the political bug. The winner of the race, Andy Watson, polled nearly twice as many votes as Thompson.<ref>Buddy Moore, Thesis, p. 11</ref>

Acting on the advice of his then friend, former Mayor Benjamin Franklin Merritt (1906-1985), a commander of the Georgia [[National Guard]], Thompson in 1963 ran for alderman on the then [[nonpartisan]] ballot and unseated the incumbent Bert Hamilton, a Mercer University professor. Merritt, meanwhile, was elected mayor, having previously served from 1953-1959. On the council, Thompson took a particular interest in [[aviation]], used his aldermanic pay to finance flying lessons, and soon earned his [[pilot]]'s license.<ref>Buddy Moore, Thesis, pp. 11-12.</ref>

Acting on the advice of his then friend, former Mayor Benjamin Franklin Merritt (1906-1985), a commander of the Georgia [[National Guard]], Thompson in 1963 ran for alderman on the then nonpartisan ballot and unseated the incumbent Bert Hamilton, a Mercer University professor. Merritt, meanwhile, was elected mayor, having previously served from 1953-1959. On the council, Thompson took a particular interest in [[aviation]], used his aldermanic pay to finance flying lessons, and soon earned his [[pilot]]'s license.<ref>Buddy Moore, Thesis, pp. 11-12.</ref>

On the council, Thompson differed with Mayor Merritt on many issues. The crime rate in Macon soared; municipal finance problems were so severe that the city had to borrow regularly; there were still 150 miles of dirt streets; city services were needed for newly annexed areas.<ref>''Macon Telegraph'', September 1, 1964, p. A14; February 16, 1966, p. A13; June 29, 1966, p. A1.</ref>

On the council, Thompson differed with Mayor Merritt on many issues. The crime rate in Macon soared; municipal finance problems were so severe that the city had to borrow regularly; there were still 150 miles of dirt streets; city services were needed for newly annexed areas.<ref>''Macon Telegraph'', September 1, 1964, p. A14; February 16, 1966, p. A13; June 29, 1966, p. A1.</ref>