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COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) _ Maxine Reese, who helped put Jimmy Carter in the White House and spearheaded efforts to make his hometown a national historic district, died Thursday after a battle with lung cancer. She was 68.
Twenty-five years ago, Reese rallied Carter's southwest Georgia supporters, who called themselves the Peanut Brigade, and converted the old Plains train depot into the headquarters for his 1976 presidential race. She later helped transform the deteriorating Plains High School into a museum and helped convince the National Park Service to designate her hometown of Plains a national historic site.
In March, a park was dedicated in her honor near the depot she helped turn into a Carter campaign symbol.
In a statement released, Carter applauded her role in his election.
''Maxine Reese is one of the most extraordinary citizens Plains, Ga., has ever had,″ he said. ''She was instrumental in my political campaigns and elections and since my return home from Washington has been key in promoting the quality of life in the city of Plains.″
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