| − | Incumbent two-term governor [[Eugene Talmadge]] was barred in 1936 from running for a third consecutive term, and Rivers ran for the open seat. Campaigning as a [[New Deal]]er in favor of federal government programs amidst the [[Great Depression]], he handily won the primary election<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=378445 GA Governor - D Primary - Sep 09, 1936]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved February 26, 2021.</ref> over a Talmadge-backed anti-New Dealer in an election cycle heavily favorable for [[liberals]] as racist white Southerners supported Roosevelt's big government policies.<ref>Williamson, Kevin D. (August 29, 2018). [https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/08/senator-richard-russell-history-of-racist-progressives/ Was Senator Russell a ‘Conservative’ Democrat?]. ''National Review''. Retrieved February 26, 2021.</ref> | + | Incumbent two-term governor [[Eugene Talmadge]] was barred in 1936 from running for a third consecutive term, and Rivers ran for the open seat. Campaigning as a [[New Deal]]er in favor of federal government programs amidst the [[Great Depression]], he handily won the primary election<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=378445 GA Governor - D Primary - Sep 09, 1936]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved February 26, 2021.</ref> over Talmadge-backed anti-New Dealer Charles D. Redwine in an election cycle heavily favorable for [[liberals]] as racist white Southerners supported Roosevelt's big government policies.<ref>Williamson, Kevin D. (August 29, 2018). [https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/08/senator-richard-russell-history-of-racist-progressives/ Was Senator Russell a ‘Conservative’ Democrat?]. ''National Review''. Retrieved February 26, 2021.</ref> |