Eurith D. Rivers

From Freepedia

Eurith Dickenson (ED) Rivers (December 5, 1895– June 11, 1967) was an American politician from Lanier County, Georgia. He was Democratic Governor of Georgia from 1937 to 1941.

Rivers election as governor came after a stormy Democratic Primary in 1936 in which the race served as a surrogate referendum on President Roosevelt's New Deal. Since Georgia didn't alow three consecutive terms, Governor Talmadge was not eligible. Talmadge who strongly opposed the New Deal and had delayed its implementation in Georgia, ran for the U.S. Senate and backed Charles D. Redmond for governor. Rivers, who as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives had strongly supported the New Deal was his opponent, and won with about 60 percent of the vote (the same margin by which Tallmadge lost his Senate race).

River's first term (two years) as governor saw Georgia pass the legislation required to bring New Deal programs into Georgia, and was widely acclaimed. During his second term, dissatisfaction with the taxes required by these programs led to difficulty and retrenchment in the state's budget, and in the 1940 elections Talmadge was returned to office.

Rivers died at Lakeland, Georgia in 1967 and is buried in the City Cemetery there.

Preceded by: Eugene Talmadge

Governor of Georgia 1937–1941

Succeeded by: Eugene Talmadge