Hal Suit
Encyclopedia
Hal Suit was an American
local television news personality and political figure who won the 1970 Republican nomination for Governor of Georgia, but lost the November general election
to future president Jimmy Carter
.
A native of Ohio
's eighth-largest city, Youngstown
, and styling himself as a "Taft Republican
", Harold Columbus Suit had Southern
ancestry — his father was born in North Carolina
and his mother in Tennessee
. A 19-year-old college student at the time of the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor
, he completed his studies in history and political science at the University of Florida
as well as the state's Rollins College
and, during the remaining years of World War II
, served in the United States Army
, being wounded twice and receiving decorations for valor. Upon leaving the military, he became, in 1947, a radio news announcer and, seven years later, in 1954, moved to the small Georgia
city of Albany
, joining the initial staff of the city's first, and sole VHF, TV station, WALB-TV, which began broadcasting on April 7, 1954. After five years, he transferred to WSB-TV
in Atlanta
, the state's first TV station which has been on the air since September 1948. Gaining recognition in a major media market
as a top local anchorman, political editorialist and news executive, he was the recipient of the 1967 National Headliner Award and was named, in 1970, the state's most outstanding citizen by Georgia's Toastmasters
. That year, according to The New York Times
, his picture was identified by 91% of registered voters who watched WSB, the station described as "the most powerful and influential in Georgia".
Following his 41% to 59% loss to Jimmy Carter, he became president of the Atlanta-based communications company, Production 70's, and continued to deliver opinion pieces on radio and in newspapers. In 1972 Suit announced he would run again for governor in 1974, but he did not receive the nomination.
Hal Suit and his wife were longtime residents of the Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw
, where they raised four children. He died there at the age of 72.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
local television news personality and political figure who won the 1970 Republican nomination for Governor of Georgia, but lost the November general election
General election (U.S.)
In election law within the United States, a general election is an election held pursuant to a periodic schedule, in which a candidate for the office that the election concerns will become the scheduled successor to that office, if that candidate receives the majority of votes cast...
to future president Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
.
A native of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
's eighth-largest city, Youngstown
Youngstown
Youngstown may refer to:A place*Canada**Britannia Youngstown, Edmonton, Alberta**Youngstown, Alberta*United States**Youngstown, Florida**Youngstown, Indiana**Youngstown, New York**Youngstown, Ohio***Youngstown State University...
, and styling himself as a "Taft Republican
Robert Taft
Robert Alphonso Taft , of the Taft political family of Cincinnati, was a Republican United States Senator and a prominent conservative statesman...
", Harold Columbus Suit had Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
ancestry — his father was born in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and his mother in Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. A 19-year-old college student at the time of the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, he completed his studies in history and political science at the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
as well as the state's Rollins College
Rollins College
Rollins College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Winter Park, Florida , along the shores of Lake Virginia....
and, during the remaining years of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, being wounded twice and receiving decorations for valor. Upon leaving the military, he became, in 1947, a radio news announcer and, seven years later, in 1954, moved to the small Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
city of Albany
Albany, Georgia
Albany is a city in and the county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. It is the principal city of the Albany, Georgia metropolitan area and the southwest part of the state. The population was 77,434 at the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the...
, joining the initial staff of the city's first, and sole VHF, TV station, WALB-TV, which began broadcasting on April 7, 1954. After five years, he transferred to WSB-TV
WSB-TV
WSB-TV, virtual channel 2.1 , is the ABC affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia. It is the flagship television station of Cox Enterprises and its Cox Media Group subsidiary...
in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, the state's first TV station which has been on the air since September 1948. Gaining recognition in a major media market
Media market
A media market, broadcast market, media region, designated market area , Television Market Area , or simply market is a region where the population can receive the same television and radio station offerings, and may also include other types of media including newspapers and Internet content...
as a top local anchorman, political editorialist and news executive, he was the recipient of the 1967 National Headliner Award and was named, in 1970, the state's most outstanding citizen by Georgia's Toastmasters
Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills...
. That year, according to The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, his picture was identified by 91% of registered voters who watched WSB, the station described as "the most powerful and influential in Georgia".
Following his 41% to 59% loss to Jimmy Carter, he became president of the Atlanta-based communications company, Production 70's, and continued to deliver opinion pieces on radio and in newspapers. In 1972 Suit announced he would run again for governor in 1974, but he did not receive the nomination.
Hal Suit and his wife were longtime residents of the Atlanta suburb of Kennesaw
Kennesaw, Georgia
Kennesaw is a city in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. It had a population of 29,783 according to the 2010 census. It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Founded in 1887, Kennesaw has a past surrounded with railroad history...
, where they raised four children. He died there at the age of 72.