Jimmy Carter 'Only Trying to Make It' to His 100th Birthday to Make a Political Move: Family

Former president Jimmy Carter is just a few days away from celebrating his centennial birthday on October 1st. He only has one goal: to cast his vote for his preferred candidate. The Democratic leader seems to have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris by confirming that he is only waiting to exercise his right to vote in the upcoming election. “I’m only trying to make it to vote for Kamala Harris,” Jimmy reportedly told his son Chip, and this comment was further relayed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by his grandson Jason Carter.

In recent days, according to Jason, his grandfather has been 'more alert and interested in politics' despite displaying frail health since June. Jason, who is also the chairman of the Carter Center, stated in May that his grandfather was 'coming to the end' but was still 'doing ok.' Jimmy remains to be the oldest president still alive. After experiencing health issues for several years, his family declared that on February 18, 2023, he was placed under hospice care. In November 2023, Rosalynn Carter, his wife of 77 years, passed away at the age of 96. 

According to The Hill, in Georgia, early voting starts on October 15 and it's something Carter has been anxiously anticipating, as told by his loved ones. As per The New York Times, it is anticipated that counties in Georgia will begin mailing absentee votes around one month before Election Day; the veteran politician plans to vote via mail.  

Georgia is among the few battleground states significant in the race between Harris and Trump. The Republican leader had won the state in 2016 but lost it to President Joe Biden in 2020. However, it is worth noting Biden barely defeated Trump with 11,779 votes. 

As per Huff Post, Melania Trump attended Rosalynn's funeral, which Donald then disparaged in January, after winning the Iowa caucuses. “My wife attended the funeral two months ago of Rosalynn Carter and it was beautiful and Jimmy Carter was there,” Trump said. “And I thought to myself, Jimmy Carter is happy now because he will go down as being a brilliant president by comparison to Joe Biden. He’s gonna be known as brilliant!” 

As reported by The Guardian, Biden stated that he was requested to give the ex-president's eulogy. Carter's physicians, the President added, had “found a way to keep him going for a lot longer than they anticipated because they found a breakthrough."

Carter intends to celebrate his birthday in early September with a musical evening at Atlanta's Fox Theatre being thrown in his honor in addition to casting his ballot. Numerous performers, such as Chuck Leavell, D-Nice, Eric Church, Drive-By Truckers, GROUPLOVE, Maren Morris, and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus, are expected to pay tribute to the legendary politician, per Associated Press.

“Whether it was on his record players, on the campaign trail, or on the White House lawn, music has been and continues to be a source of joy, comfort, and inspiration for my grandfather,” Jason said in an official statement. The $100 tickets will go on sale on August 5 at 10 a.m. through the Fox Theatre box office. The Carter Center will profit from the proceeds.