Charles Kirbo

Charles Hughes Kirbo (March 5, 1917 – September 2, 1996) was an American lawyer and longtime advisor to Jimmy Carter. He served as the Chairman of the Democratic Party in Georgia for two years from 1972 to 1974.

Charles Kirbo
Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia
In office 1972–1974
Preceded by	David H. Gambrell
Succeeded by	Marge Thurman
Personal details
Born	(1917-03-05)March 5, 1917 Bainbridge, Georgia, U.S.
Died	September 2, 1996(1996-09-02) (aged 79) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Georgia (LLB)

Early life and legal career

Kirbo was born on March 5, 1917, in Bainbridge, Georgia.^[1] He graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1939 and later served in the United States Army in World War II.^[1] In 1960, Kirbo became a partner in the law firm of King & Spalding.^[1]

Political career

Kirbo first represented Jimmy Carter in 1962 when Carter lost the Democratic primary for a Georgia state senate seat.^[1][2] After Kirbo was able to establish that the primary results were fraudulent, Carter won the nomination and then the general election.^[1][2] In 1971, then-Governor Jimmy Carter offered to appoint Kirbo to the United States Senate seat left vacant by the death of Richard Russell, but Kirbo declined.^[1][2] When Carter was elected President, Kirbo was considered as a possible White House Chief of Staff.^[3] Kirbo was also considered to be a candidate for the Supreme Court if a vacancy had occurred under a Carter Presidency.^[4]

Death

Kirbo died on September 2, 1996, in Atlanta of complications from gall bladder surgery.^[1]

See also

• Jimmy Carter Supreme Court candidates

References

1. Lawrence Van Gelder, Charles H. Kirbo, 79, Is Dead; Was Carter's Closest Adviser, The New York Times (September 4, 1996).
2. The Nation: The Charlie Behind Jimmy, Time magazine (July 12, 1976).
3. Dumbrell, John (1995). The Carter Presidency: A Re-Evaluation. Manchester University Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-7190-4693-3.
4. Dumbrell, John (1995). The Carter Presidency: A Re-Evaluation. Manchester University Press. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7190-4693-3.