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Jimmy Carter memories: Friend remembers ‘Peanut Brigade’

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Published  January 2, 2025 8:59pm EST
Jimmy Carter
FOX 5 Atlanta

Jimmy Carter's Peanut Brigade remembered

We continue to hear stories about the impact President Jimmy Carter had on our nation and state. Some of the people who believe once he entered their lives, nothing was the same again.

The Brief

    • Dot Padgett first met Jimmy Carter in 1970 when he asked for her help in his gubernatorial campaign, which she agreed to after being impressed by his character.
    • In 1975, Padgett played a significant role in Carter's presidential campaign by organizing the "Peanut Brigade," a group of Georgia volunteers who campaigned nationwide.
    • Padgett admires Carter not just as a politician but as a man of honor, citing his honesty, determination, tenacity, and vision.
    • She believes Carter's achievements during his presidency, such as establishing the Department of Energy and promoting solar energy, are often overlooked.
    • Padgett wrote a book about Carter and actively works to ensure his legacy is recognized as one of the better presidents in history.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. - It's been 7 years since Jimmy Carter last visited Dot Padgett's home. The 97-year-old can go through pictures and recall those special moments with President Carter, especially the favorite picture.

"Telling him what to do," said Carter's laughing friend.

She doesn't have or need a picture to recall the moment Mr. Carter changed her life. The first time they met was in her Douglasville home back in 1970.

"A car drives up, and a young man gets out, and it was Jimmy Carter," recalled Padgett. He said, "I'm running for governor. Would you help me?" I looked into those beautiful blue eyes and said yes."

By 1975, the Carters came calling again, and Padgett would help lead his campaign for the Presidency by organizing the so-called "Peanut Brigade," Georgia volunteers who campaigned all over the country, including snowy New Hampshire, a primary race he surprisingly won.

"I was busy knocking on doors; we nearly froze to death," said Padgett.

She did it because she believed in Carter, not just as a politician, but as a man of honor.

"His honesty, his determination, his tenacity, his vision," said Padgett. "I saw it in him."

For all the talk of what Mr. Carter accomplished after leaving the White House, she doesn't believe he gets enough credit for what he did in the White House, not just negotiating peace between Israel and Egypt.

"Establishing the Department of Energy, the solar panels he put on the White House," stated Padgett.

She says she wrote a book, "Jimmy Carter: Elected President with Pocket Change and Peanuts," and gives interviews with one goal in mind: Carter's legacy.

"My goal is for him to rise up in history as one of our better presidents," she said.

The Source: This article is based on original reporting by FOX 5's Kevyn Stewart.

Jimmy CarterDouglas CountyGeorgia PoliticsNews