Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter (1924-2024), the former Governor of Georgia, emerged as the Democratic nominee in the 1976 presidential election, running on a platform of transparency, honesty, and restoring trust in government after the Watergate scandal and Richard Milhous Nixon's resignation. Carter faced incumbent President Gerald Ford, who had taken office after Nixon’s departure but struggled with the lingering effects of the scandal and economic issues. Carter’s appeal as an outsider and advocate for change resonated with voters, leading to a narrow victory in the Electoral College.