The local community met at Lake Ella to remember the late President Jimmy Carter with elected officials on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.

Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried said she is hopeful the next generation will learn from Carter’s example.

The local Democratic party organized the event to commemorate the 39th president’s life and legacy. A former pastor and state senate candidate, Lee Dotson, attended the remembrance. He ran for office in South Georgia and met President Carter several times, witnessing Carter’s campaign strategy up close.

The little-known former Georgia governor tied for 12th in early polling, but he had the right plan to win the 1976 presidential primary.

Mr. Carter witnessed a shift from what had been a solidly Democratic South to one that Republicans, supported by white voters and particularly evangelicals, came to dominate.

Today’s lawmakers hailed the 39th president, but their predecessors made his four years in office a constant battle and derailed many Carter initiatives.

Madeleine Blais was a staff writer for the Trenton Times in 1976 when she was assigned to cover the Democratic Convention in New York City where Jimmy Carter claimed his party's nomination. The four days were mostly a snore -- but she created a time capsule of the week that she treasures to this day.

Jimmy Carter was in office from 1977 until 1981, but it was his life outside the White House that has continued to speak volumes

In symbolism and substance, President Carter displayed an obsessive attention to energy. He famously installed solar panels on the roof of the White House, but more consequentially, he created the Department of Energy, and allocated what remains a record amount of funding into energy research and development.

Who was Jimmy Carter's vice president? Walter Mondale, a former U.S. senator from Minnesota, served as Carter's vice president from 1977 to 1981. Mondale was also the Democratic Party's nominee during the 1984 presidential election but lost to ...

The first lady took her seat next to Harris with nary an acknowledgement or glance toward the vice president and second gentleman.

The Georgia Democrat, who served as president from 1977-81, will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Rosalynn, outside their home in Plains.