1944 Republican National Convention

The 1944 Republican National Convention was held in Chicago, Illinois, from June 26 to 28, 1944. It nominated Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York for president and Governor John Bricker of Ohio for vice president.

1944 Republican National Convention
1944 presidential election
Nominees
Dewey and Bricker
Convention
Date(s)June 26–28, 1944
CityChicago, Illinois
VenueChicago Stadium
Candidates
Presidential nomineeThomas E. Dewey of New York
Vice presidential nomineeJohn W. Bricker of Ohio

Background

When the convention opened, Governor Dewey was the front-runner for the nomination. 1940 presidential nominee, Wendell Willkie again vied for the nomination, but when he lost the Wisconsin primary, the lack of support from the Republican Party became evident. (Before the election, Willkie would die of a heart attack.) General Douglas MacArthur withdrew his name from consideration in May.

Conservative opposition to Dewey coalesced briefly around Governor John W. Bricker of Ohio, but Dewey was the overwhelming favorite as the party's convention opened in Chicago in June.

Presidential nomination

Presidential candidates

Before balloting began, Bricker withdrew in favor of Dewey, removing the last vestige of opposition. Dewey was nominated on the first ballot with 1,056 votes to 1 for MacArthur.

Dewey became the second Republican candidate to accept his party's nomination in-person at the convention. All subsequent Republican nominees have accepted their nominations in person with the exception of Donald Trump who in 2020 delivered his re-nomination acceptance speech from The White House because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][2]

Presidential Ballot
Candidate1st
Dewey 1,056
MacArthur 1
Absent 2


Presidential Balloting / 3rd Day of Convention (June 28, 1944)

  • 1st Presidential Ballot
    1st Presidential Ballot

Vice Presidential nomination

Vice Presidential candidates

Bricker was nominated unanimously for the vice presidency. A deal was reached between the Dewey and Bricker factions the previous night in which Bricker would withdraw in favor of Dewey in exchange for the number two spot on the ticket.

Presidential Ballot
Candidate1st
Bricker 1,057
Absent 2


Vice Presidential Balloting / 3rd Day of Convention (June 28, 1944)

  • 1stVice Presidential Ballot
    1st
    Vice Presidential Ballot

Platform

The 1944 Republican platform included a call for a Constitutional amendment establishing equal rights for women. This line was included in all subsequent platforms until 1980,[3] when the debate over the Equal Rights Amendment was occurring.

Cultural Impact

During the convention, Chicago's Billy Goat Tavern gained notoriety for posting a notice saying "No Republicans Allowed". This caused Republican conventioneers to pack the place, demanding to be served, and led to increased publicity for the tavern.[4]

See also

References
  1. Walker, Hunter. "Biden won't travel to Milwaukee to accept presidential nomination as coronavirus scuttles both political conventions". ca.news.yahoo.com. Yahoo News. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  2. Clark, Dartunorro (August 10, 2020). "Gettysburg or White House: Trump narrows RNC speech backdrop choices, decision coming 'soon'". NBC News. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  3. Frum, David (2000). How We Got Here: The '70s. New York, New York: Basic Books. p. 245. ISBN 0-465-04195-7.
  4. Our History: Birth of a legend Archived September 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
Preceded by
1940
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania		 Republican National Conventions Succeeded by
1948
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania


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