Garland T. Byrd

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Garland Turk Byrd
In office
January 13, 1959 – January 15, 1961
Governor Ernest Vandiver
Preceded by Ernest Vandiver
Succeeded by Peter Zack Geer
Born July 16, 1924
Reynolds, Georgia
Died June 1, 1997
Reynolds, Georgia
Political party Democratic
Spouse Gloria Elizabeth Whatley
Profession Farmer, real estate businessman

Garland Turk Byrd (July 16, 1924 - June 1, 1997) was United States Democratic politician from Georgia, who served as the 4th Lieutenant Governor of Georgia from 1959 to 1963.

He was born in Reynolds, Georgia (Taylor County). Byrd graduated Reynolds High School in 1941. During World War II he served in the US Army from October 1942 to October 1945 in eingeener combat units. He fought in Normandy,Northern France, Germany and Austria. He was discharged in rank of captain.

Byrd attended University of Georgia from 1946 to 1948 and earned LL.B. degree from Emory University in 1948 in law.

A lifelong farmer and real estate businessman, he served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1947 to 1949 from his home Taylor County. He resigned in order to became Director, assistant director of the state's Veterans Service Department (1949-1952).

Elected Lieutenant Governor in 1958 he served this post from January 13, 1959 to January 15, 1963 under fellow Democrat, Governor Ernest Vandiver.

After he left this post, he was Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative from Georgia's 3rd congressional district in 1964, losing to Republican nominee (and 1966 gubernatorial nominee) Bo Callaway. In 1966 he was a candidate for succeeding Governor Carl E. Sanders in 1966, but lost soundly Democratic primary and finished distant fifth.

He was married to Gloria Elizabeth Whatley (born September 22, 1925).

Lt. Governor Byrd was a freemason.

Byrd is interment at Hillcrest Cemetery in Reynolds, Georgia.

[edit] Electoral history

Georgia's 3rd congressional district, 1964 (Democratic primary)[1]

  • Garland T. Byrd - 20,067 (34.38%)
  • Stephen Pace, Jr. - 13,492 (23.11%)
  • Erle Cocke - 9,760 (16.72%)
  • Ed Wohlwender - 8,526 (14.61%)
  • Charles R. Adams - 4,242 (7.27%)
  • Robert Lee Newby - 2,287 (3.92%)

Georgia's 3rd congressional district, 1964 (Democratic primary runoff)[2]

  • Garland T. Byrd - 22,584 (51.05%)
  • Stephen Pace, Jr. - 21,653 (48.95%)

Georgia's 3rd congressional district, 1964[3]

  • Bo Callaway (R) - 45,145 (57.23%)
  • Garland T. Byrd (D) - 33,733 (42.77%)

Democratic gubernatorial primary, 1966[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Our Campaigns - GA District 3 - D Primary Race - Sep 09, 1964
  2. ^ Our Campaigns - GA District 3 - D Runoff Race - Sep 23, 1964
  3. ^ Our Campaigns - GA District 3 Race - Nov 03, 1964
  4. ^ Our Campaigns - GA Governor - D Primary Race - Sep 14, 1966

[edit] External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Ernest Vandiver		 Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
1959–1963		 Succeeded by
Peter Zack Geer
Party political offices
Preceded by
Ernest Vandiver		 Democratic Party nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
1958 (won)		 Succeeded by
Peter Zack Geer
Preceded by
Tic Forrester		 Democratic Party nominee for Representative from Georgia's 3rd congressional district
1964 (lost)		 Succeeded by
Jack Brinkley

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Lieutenant Governors of Georgia
Thompson • Griffin • Vandiver • Byrd • Geer • Smith • Maddox • Miller • Howard • Taylor • Cagle
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