Locals who worked in Jimmy Carter administration share memories

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Outpourings of help for Jimmy Carter proceed nationally and right here domestically.

News4Jax spoke with two longtime political powerhouses in Jacksonville who actually received their begin serving below President Carter: Mike Hightower and Martha Barrett.

Hightower finally turned a Republican and led the Duval County Republican Celebration for a time, however he was a Democrat within the Nineteen Seventies. He first met Jimmy Carter 50 years in the past when Carter was first operating within the Democratic Major.

“He simply reached out and took my hand and stated ‘Hello I’m Jimmy Carter’. I stated nicely ‘Hello I’m Mike Hightower’. He stated ‘I’m the outgoing Governor of Georgia and operating for President of the USA,‘” Hightower recalled.

Ultimately, he stated Carter introduced him onto the marketing campaign to assist him run their Jacksonville workplace and maintain them aggressive with George Wallace who was additionally operating within the main. Wallace had run third social gathering previously and Carter believed if he might stay aggressive in Jacksonville he would take Florida. Florida was an necessary state within the main, possibly an important.

“I stated ‘Jimmy, this was George Wallace’s headquarters in ’68 and ’72…he didn’t blink and stated ‘If you may get me inside 10 factors, I can win,” stated Hightower.

Carter overperformed in Jacksonville after which went on to win Florida and the Democratic nomination.

Alongside the way in which, he recruited one other Jacksonville native to his staff, Martha Barrett. Barrett has been a fixture in Jacksonville politics for many years serving within the mayor’s workplace and on the varsity board. However it began together with her work for Carter.

“He was fantastic,” Barrett stated. “A number of instances I used to be in a position to journey in a automobile with him in Jacksonville and several other different locations…He was simply one of many nicest males in America. What you see is what you bought.”

Barrett stated the nation was eager for decency following the scandal with President Richard Nixon.

“He was elected after the entire Watergate concern. Folks have been eager for a really sincere, good man. And that’s what Jimmy Carter was,” stated Barrett.

Following his loss to Ronald Reagan, Hightower stated Carter had to determine what to do with the remainder of his life and was one of many world’s biggest humanitarians.

“These first couple years attempting to get his life collectively having been overwhelmed, hell of a factor to undergo. So I believe there was a catharsis however he was nonetheless Jimmy Carter,” stated Hightower.