The grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, who is running for governor in Georgia, suggested Monday that if he wins the gubernatorial race he will not stop the state from issuing license plates featuring the Confederate battle flag.

During an appearance on MSNBC’s “The Daily Rundown,” state Sen. Jason Carter, a Democrat, said people have the right to sport the Sons of Confederate Veterans-backed license plate, which features an image of the Confederate flag. He also said he would rather have people focus their attention on the role that Georgia and its leaders played in the civil rights movement.

“I would like to see us focus on that great legacy we have of Dr. King and Joseph Lowery and Andy Young,” Mr. Carter said.

Georgia has offered the license plates since 2003, and a recent redesign has reignited the debate between civil rights advocates, who say it is a racially charged reminder of slavery and oppression, and supporters of the plate, who say the symbol honors Confederate heritage.

Pressed on whether he, as governor, would stop the state from issuing the license plates, Mr. Carter said, “I don’t know that we could block it frankly.”

“But I think people, again, they have a right to do that,” he said. “They are not going to see very many of these license plates. This is something for national folks to talk about. We are moving on.”

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