In the early twentieth century, the
Southern United States was characterized by
Jim Crow racial segregation, widespread voter disenfranchisement,
malapportionment of state legislative districts, and dominance by a single political party. As a result, black voters began to combine their electoral strength with white moderates to alter the outcomes of regional elections. New South governors tended to avoid race-baiting campaigning or strong affirmations in favor of segregation. Their campaigns were also more modernized and media driven, and they tended to rely upon coalitions of moderate and liberal white voters and blacks.
Terry Sanford was the first New South governor, being elected
Governor of North Carolina in
1960. He emphasized peaceful race relations, improvements in education, and vigorous economic development.
Carl Sanders of
Georgia was elected in
1962. Several New South governors were elected in
1970:
Reubin Askew in
Florida,
John C. West in
South Carolina,
Dale Bumpers in
Arkansas, and
Jimmy Carter in Georgia. and was succeeded in
1975 by
Cliff Finch, who was described by
The New York Times as emblematic of the New South. By 1972, all Southern states except Alabama had elected a governor who espoused racially moderate rhetoric.
Albert Brewer assumed the office of governor in Alabama in 1968 but was not elected, and was defeated in an electoral campaign for a full term in
1970. The victor,
George Wallace, ran a racially-charged campaign but won the primary runoff by a narrow margin over Brewer and moderated his stance after taking office. A second group of New South governors were later elected, including
Richard Riley of South Carolina,
Bob Graham of Florida,
George Busbee of Georgia,
David Treen of
Louisiana,
William F. Winter of Mississippi,
Lamar Alexander of Tennessee,
Chuck Robb of
Virginia,
David Pryor and
Bill Clinton of Arkansas, and
James Holshouser,
Jim Hunt, and
James G. Martin of North Carolina. Many of these governors cited Sanford as an inspiration. Some of these governors sought national political influence, and two were elected
President of the United States: Carter in
1976, and Clinton in
1992. Most New South governors were replaced by more conservative officeholders in the 1980s and 1990s. == Ideology and characteristics ==