LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) – State Rep. Al Williams, of Midway, has been a longtime supporter of former President Jimmy Carter.
He supported him through the highly contested gubernatorial Democratic runoff in 1970 and then campaigned for him during his presidential bid.
"I thought he was a great governor of Georgia,” Willaims said. “He came and did some progressive things. He did a wonderful job as president of the United States and was overshadowed by some things. But if you look at his record, he has a great record."
Williams said Jan. 9, the National Day of Mourning, is about rejoicing and looking back on Carter’s journey, reflecting on the good he has done throughout the world. He applauded Carter's volunteerism and said he had many talents that allowed him to make a difference.
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"He showed you what volunteerism it is,” Williams said. “Volunteerism is not in words. It is an action. Jimmy Carter was a supreme volunteer."
He told News 3 that Carter was a man built of realism and truthfulness. Williams believed that is how the former president captured the minds and hearts of the nation.
"Sen. Mel Traylor said, 'What are you going to do now, given that your term is about over?'” Williams recalled. “'I will be president of the United States.'
"We walked out the door, got to the bottom stairs, and we laughed so hard I thought security was going to come get us. This guy thinks he's going to be president. Then he showed us he had that determination and grit."
He said if he was able to speak with Carter for one last time, he would simply say "Thank you."
"I’d venture to say he was probably the smartest man ever to be president,” Williams said.
The representative gives credit to the former president for putting Georgia on the map.