(Radio Iowa) – Former President Jimmy Carter — the candidate who put the Iowa Caucuses on the nation’s political radar — has died at the age of 100. In the 1976 Iowa Caucuses, Carter stunned the political establishment by finishing ahead of four U-S Senators and the Democratic Party’s 1972 nominee for vice president. George Appleby of Des Moines was an early Carter supporter.

“There was a kind of freshness to him and he was an unusual politician,” Appleby says. “Of course, everything was in the era of post-Nixon.” Appleby says Carter’s demeanor was the attitude change the country needed after Watergate. “Jimmy Carter said: ‘I will never lie to you,’ wore his cardigan sweaters, looked like a man of the people out of smalltown Plains, Georgia,” Appleby says. “What a change it was.” Appleby says Carter was genuine and endearing. “Rest in peace,” Appleby says. “Such a man of faith, I’m sure he’s gone to his reward.”

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and U-S Senator Chuck Grassley have issued statements praising Carter for his humanitarian work and his deep faith. Reynolds says Carter’s belief in putting God’s love into action has inspired generations of Americans.