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1940 Democratic Party presidential primaries

← 1936 March 12 to June 27, 1940 1944 →
Delegates to the Democratic National Convention 547 delegates votes needed to win
Candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt John Nance Garner James Farley Home state New York Texas Massachusetts Contests won 7 0 1 Popular vote 3,214,555 426,700 76,919 Percentage 71.93% 9.55% 1.71%
First place finishes by convention roll call
Previous Democratic nominee Franklin D. Roosevelt Democratic nominee Franklin D. Roosevelt

From March 12 to June 27, 1940, voters of the Democratic Party elected delegates to the 1940 Democratic National Convention through a series of primaries, caucuses, and conventions. Incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt was selected as the party's presidential nominee despite not formally declaring a campaign for a third term. Supporters effectively drafted Roosevelt, who was non-committal about seeking re-election, amid rising concerns over war in Europe.

Ahead of the convention, the primary process and other means of delegate allocation had led to the New York Times to project that Roosevelt had 691.5 delegates in support of him, well above Garner's 69.5 and Farley's 38.5.

Candidates

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Incumbent President Roosevelt remained sufficiently popular to seek nomination for a third term, if he desired, though he had alienated many conservative and Southern members of his party, whom he had relied on for his 1932 nomination, by attempting to purge critics of the New Deal in the 1938 elections.

As foreign policy tensions mounted in Europe following the German annexation of Czechoslovakia and partition of Poland, Roosevelt was urged to run for an unprecedented third consecutive term. Roosevelt encouraged speculation but remained quiet. Privately, he prepared for his post-presidency, putting the finishing touches on a presidential library and signing a contract to become a contributing editor with Collier's upon his departure from office. In response to private lobbying from Senator George W. Norris, Roosevelt openly spoke of his hopes for retirement. In February, he suffered a minor heart attack. Meanwhile, the war in Europe had largely dragged to a halt, entering a phase now known as the "Phoney War." Amid rising hope for peace, Roosevelt returned to focusing on retirement.

The heir apparent to Roosevelt, should he decline to run, was Secretary of State Cordell Hull. Roosevelt encouraged his ambitions, intimating to Hull's wife at a cabinet dinner that the Secretary "had better get used to ," because "e'll have a lot of it to do soon." However, Hull found it impermissible to campaign while actively serving as Secretary and, knowing that his nomination would depend on Roosevelt's support, remained silent pending Roosevelt's decision.

Any chance of peace in Europe was ended on April 9, 1940, when Germany invaded Denmark and Norway. Around one month later, the Battle of France began and French forces quickly fell into retreat. Though Roosevelt never formally declared a candidacy, supporters entered his name in presidential preference contests and stood as delegates with the promise to nominate Roosevelt at the national party convention. In the Illinois primary, which required a candidate to make a sworn declaration of intent to seek the presidency, Roosevelt's name was placed on the ballot without any such declaration. Officials reasoned that he had been at sea when the deadline to declare passed.

Any doubts Roosevelt had about a third term were erased upon the Italian declaration of war on France. This, combined with isolationism among both parties in Congress, solidified his decision to accept re-nomination to a third term. When the Democratic delegates convened in July, none doubted that Roosevelt would accept their nomination.

John Nance Garner

Vice President John Nance Garner, who had been one of Roosevelt's primary opponents in 1932, announced his candidacy on December 18, 1939. His candidacy centered on opposition to the New Deal, Roosevelt personally, and the idea of a third term, but his conservatism put him on an uphill course with the rank-and-file of the party.

James Farley

Postmaster General and party chairman James Farley was the second challenger to Roosevelt but far more aligned with the New Deal platform than Garner. Farley had support from professional politicians but suffered from a lack of familiarity with policy issues and lingering anti-Catholicism. Cardinal George Mundelein lobbied Farley not to run, but he forcefully declined: "I will not let myself be kicked around by Roosevelt or anyone else."

Favorite sons

The following candidates were "favorite sons," who stood for nomination only in their respective home states for the purpose of controlling that state's delegation at the 1940 Democratic National Convention.

• Former Lieutenant Governor Charles W. Sawyer of Ohio
• Senator Joseph C. O'Mahoney of Wyoming
• Senator Millard Tydings of Maryland
• Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana

Declined

The following candidates were the subject of media speculation regarding a potential candidacy or were ambitious of the presidency, but ultimately declined to run:

• William O. Douglas, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and former chair of the Securities Exchange Commission
• Harry Hopkins, U.S. Secretary of Commerce and trusted advisor to Roosevelt
• Cordell Hull, U.S. Secretary of State
• Robert H. Jackson, Attorney General of the United States
• Paul V. McNutt, Administrator of the Federal Security Agency and former Governor of Indiana
• Henry A. Wallace, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Primary Results

Delegates not selected in primaries

Many delegations were not selected in public primaries. The following table shows delegates awarded at a state level by convention, committees, and other means.

See also

• Republican Party presidential primaries, 1940
• White primary

Notes

1. ^ These vote tallies are based on the candidate for delegate that gathered the most votes, not the slate as a whole.
2. There were eleven Pro-Roosevelt Delegates running.
3. There were three Pro-Farley Delegates running.
4. There was one Pro-Garner Delegate running.
5. There were two Unpledged Delegates running.
6. A breakdown of the delegate vote wasn't provided.

References

1. Kalb, Deborah (2016-02-19). Guide to U.S. Elections - Google Books. ISBN 9781483380353. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
2. "The Only Ballot". The New York Times. July 18, 1940.
3. "ROOSEVELT VOTES NOW NUMBER 707 ; Delegates Pledged or SemiPledged to the PresidentGive Him a Wide LeadGARNER STANDS SECONDTexas is the Backbone of HisSupport--Farley is Third-- 146 Are Uninstructed". The New York Times. 22 June 1940.
4. ^ Smith 2007, pp. 441–43.
5. ^ Smith 2007, p. 443.
6. Smith 2007, p. 447.
7. Smith 2007, p. 457.
8. ^ Smith 2007, p. 442.
9. "STYLES BRIDGES BID IS SEEN ENHANCED; Ex-Senator Moses Says New Hampshire Has Best Presidential Chance in DecadesTHIRD-TERMERS VICTORSRoosevelt Men Win All Eight Delegate Places, but VoteIs Below '36 Primary's". The New York Times. March 14, 1940.
10. "MINOR UPSETS MARK MASSACHUSETTS VOTE; Farley Slate Loses Few Places --Republicans Unpledged". The New York Times. May 1, 1940.
11. "BURTON IS TRAILING IN OHIO'S PRIMARY; But D. A. White Ahead as Rural Vote Mounts in Republican Contest for Senator DAVEY IS AGAIN NOMINEE Neely Ahead in West Virginia Party Race for Governor-- Senator Holt Trails". The New York Times. May 15, 1940.
12. "HENDRICKSON LEADS IN JERSEY PRIMARY; Willkie Gets Surprise Write-In Vote Against Dewey in Presidential Contest". The New York Times. May 22, 1940.
13. "MAINE DEMOCRATS BACK THIRD TERM; Pledge Ten Convention Votes to Roosevelt, or to Farley If President Retires GARNER FORCES DEFEATED Instructions Given to 20 Delegates--Chairman Urges aUnited Front in Speech". The New York Times. March 28, 1940.
14. "BACKER OF FARLEY LOSES; Arizona Democrats Pick New National Committee Woman". The New York Times. April 7, 1940.
15. "PUERTO RICO PARTY CHAMPIONS FARLEY; San Juan Convention Elects 6 Delegates, Ordering Them to Vote Under His Orders". The New York Times. April 8, 1940.
16. "NEW DEALERS KEEP GEORGIA IN THE BAG; Garner-George Forces Barred in 'Hand Picked' Delegation Selected for Chicago ROOSEVELT ASKED TO RUN State Committee Shunts Aside Petition of 25,000 to Put Up Slates in a Primary". The New York Times. April 26, 1940.
17. "STATE DEMOCRATS RE-ELECT FARLEY; Resolution Implies Backing of Presidential Candidacy if Roosevelt Declines CHIEF EXECUTIVE LAUDED Lehman Also Praised for His Administration--Delegates to Convention Named". The New York Times. April 16, 1940.
18. "Hawaiians Back Third Term". The New York Times. April 27, 1940.
19. "OKLAHOMA FOR 3D TERM; Vote of Counties Indicates Delegation for Roosevelt". The New York Times. May 12, 1940.
20. "IOWA DEMOCRATS BACK THIRD TERM; Wallace Is the 'Favorite Son' Choice for Nomination if Roosevelt Does Not Run SECRETARY IS KEYNOTER He Denounces Republicans as 'Double Dealers' and Dewey as Leader in Practice". The New York Times. May 13, 1940.
21. "North Dakotans for Roosevelt". The New York Times. May 14, 1940.
22. "NORTH CAROLINA GIVES 26 VOTES TO PRESIDENT; Republicans in Tennessee Unit Back Dewey for Nomination". The New York Times. May 18, 1940.
23. "Delaware Party Backs 3d Term". The New York Times. May 21, 1940.
24. "Majority in Convention Obtained by Roosevelt". The New York Times. May 24, 1940.
25. "16 VOTES FOR TYDINGS; But Maryland Delegates Will Be Freed if Roosevelt Runs". The New York Times. May 23, 1940.
26. "CONNECTICUT'S 16 GO TO ROOSEVELT; State Democratic Convention Pledges Its Votes and Puts Unit Rule on Delegates FORTY-EIGHT ARE CHOSEN Maloney Is Renominated for Senate--Achievements of the New Deal Hailed". The New York Times. June 5, 1940.
27. "Louisianans Will Put up Rogge for the Presidency". The New York Times. 16 July 1940.
28. "BAR ROOSEVELT SUPPORT; Louisiana Democrats Refuse to Hear Plea for Candidacy". The New York Times. June 6, 1940.
29. "Kansas Slate for Third Term". The New York Times. June 11, 1940.
30. "HARRISON NOW SAYS A 3D TERM IS VITAL; Asserts World Crisis Demands Re-election of President as One Versed in Affairs LAUDS CONDUCT AT HELM Senator Urges Mississippians to Back Roosevelt at Democratic Convention Tuesday". The New York Times. June 5, 1940.
31. "VIRGINIANS BACK ALLIES; Democratic State Convention Asks Full Help for Them". The New York Times. June 15, 1940.
32. "MICHIGAN FOR ROOSEVELT; Democratic Convention Urges Him to Accept Third Term". The New York Times. June 16, 1940.
33. "Nevada Delegates Unpledged". The New York Times. June 17, 1940.
34. "DELEGATION FOR 3D TERM; Washington Democrats Pledge Unit Vote for Roosevelt". The New York Times. June 17, 1940.
35. "Arkansans Vote Third Term". The New York Times. June 19, 1940.
36. "ILLINOIS FOR ROOSEVELT; State Democrats Back Foreign Policy, Ask Defense 'Billions'". The New York Times. June 23, 1940.
37. "3D TERM BACKED BY INDIANA PARTY; Democrats Renominate Senator Minton, Name Schrickerfor the GovernorshipP.V. M'NUTT IS KEYNOTERHe Urges We Stay Out of War --Van Nuys Is Left Off theNational Delegation". The New York Times. June 28, 1940.

Further reading

• Smith, Jean Edward (2007). FDR. Random House.

• 1940 United States Democratic presidential primaries