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Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program

The Georgia Political Papers and Oral History Program is comprised of over 3,000 linear feet of archival collections, along with an extensive number of oral history interviews, that document the unique political culture of the state of Georgia.

Edwards Culver Kidd Jr.

Edwards Culver Kidd Jr. (1914-1995) was a Democratic state legislator from Baldwin County, holding office more than 30 years. He was known as a deal-maker and individually introduced more bills than any other legislator. Kidd encountered legal problems in a conspiracy case in 1978, in which President Jimmy Carter was called to testify. Kidd was not convicted and in 1992, his district was re-drawn and he lost the primary.; Interviewed by Dr. Mel Steely on August 19, 1993 at Culver's home in Atlanta.; Culver begins by discussing his early childhood, his time in school at the Georgia Military College and his interest in sports. After he attended Duke University for a short time, he decided to finish pursuing his studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology. During WWII, after having worked at a stock and bond house and his family's drugstore, he was drafted into the army. Kidd speaks of the time he spent training in the states as well as the time he spent serving in the war. Kidd was wounded in battle while in Japan and was subsequently made to return to the United States where he went through several months of physical therapy. Eventually he returned to running the family drugstore and was encouraged to run for the Georgia legislature. Kidd speaks of some of the issues that caught his attention from the beginning of his career in politics, such as mental health and the prison system, as well as discussing events such as the three governor's crisis. He discusses at length his involvement in the medical community, reapportionment, his legislative techniques and his political philosophy. Kidd speaks of the Georgia governors that he served under, expressing his admiration of Governor Carl Sanders and explaining the contention that existed between him and Governor Ernest Vandiver. Culver talks about his race for Lieutenant Governor, which he ultimately lost to Peter Zack Geer. He goes on to talk about his time in the Senate and the issues that arose there, returning to talking about reapportionment and then discussing "the black vote." He speaks about the litigation that arose in 1978 when he faced charges of conspiracy and speaks about President Jimmy Carter's involvement. Culver then discusses his involvement with other politicians such as Governor Lester Maddox, Governor Zell Miller and George T. Smith. He talks about the education, prison and health system and the changes he feel needs to be made to the system. The next topics of discussion are the several Speakers of the House and Lieutenant Governors that he had become acquainted with while in office. Culver then discusses how politics have changed over the years he has served, for what he believes to be the better.