Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1960

Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1960
United States
March 8 to June 7, 1960
 
Candidate John F. Kennedy Pat Brown George H. McLain
Home state Massachusetts California California
Contests won 10 1 0
Popular vote 1,847,259 1,354,031 646,387
Percentage 31.4% 23.0% 11.0%
 
Candidate Hubert Humphrey George Smathers Michael DiSalle
Home state Minnesota Florida Ohio
Contests won 2 1 1
Popular vote 590,410 322,235 315,312
Percentage 10.1% 5.5% 5.4%

Primaries by state
Previous Democratic nominee

Adlai Stevenson

 Democratic nominee

John F. Kennedy

The 1960 Democratic presidential primaries were the selection process by which voters of the Democratic Party chose its nominee for President of the United States in the 1960 U.S. presidential election. Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was selected as the nominee through a series of primary elections and caucuses culminating in the 1960 Democratic National Convention held from July 11 to July 15, 1960, in Los Angeles, California.

Primary race

Recalling the experience of 1928 Catholic Democratic presidential nominee Al Smith, many wondered if anti-Catholic prejudice would affect Kennedy's chances of winning the nomination and the election in November. To prove his vote-getting ability, Kennedy challenged Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey, a liberal, in the Wisconsin primary. Although Kennedy defeated Humphrey in Wisconsin, the fact that his margin of victory came mostly from heavily Catholic areas left many party bosses unconvinced of Kennedy's appeal to non-Catholic voters. Kennedy next faced Humphrey in the heavily Protestant state of West Virginia, where anti-Catholic bigotry was said to be widespread. Humphrey's campaign was low on money and could not compete with the well-organized, well-financed Kennedy team. Kennedy's attractive sisters and brothers combed the state looking for votes, leading Humphrey to complain that he "felt like an independent merchant running against a chain store."[1] On primary day, Kennedy crushed Humphrey with over 60% of the vote. Humphrey withdrew from the race and Kennedy had gained the victory he needed to prove to the party's bosses that a Catholic could win in a non-Catholic state. In the months leading up to the Democratic Convention Kennedy traveled around the nation persuading delegates from various states to support him. However, as the Convention opened, Kennedy was still a few dozen votes short of victory.

Although Kennedy won primaries by comfortable margin, his main opponent, Lyndon B. Johnson, who did not participate in primaries, had a very strong base in party establishment and gained many delegates. Johnson did not join any primary, but was a write-in.[2]

Candidates

The following political leaders were candidates for the 1960 Democratic presidential nomination. With the exceptions of Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Hubert Humphrey, Stuart Symington and Adlai Stevenson, these men were "favorite-son" candidates without any realistic chance of winning the nomination:

Primaries

1960 Democratic presidential primaries

States by winner

John F. Kennedy Pat Brown Hubert Humphrey George Smathers Michael DiSalle Unpledged
March 8 New Hampshire 85% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
April 5 Wisconsin 56% 0% 44% 0% 0% 0%
April 12 Illinois 65% 0% 8% 0% 0% 0%
April 19 New Jersey 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100%
April 26 Massachusetts 92% 0% 1% 0% 0% 0%
April 26 Pennsylvania 71% 0% 4% 0% 0% 0%
May 3 Indiana 81% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
May 3 Ohio 0% 0% 0% 0% 60% 0%
May 3 Washington, D.C. 0% 0% 57% 0% 0% 0%
May 10 Nebraska 89% 0% 4% 0% 0% 0%
May 10 West Virginia 61% 0% 39% 0% 0% 0%
May 17 Maryland 70% 0% 0% 0% 0% 8%
May 20 Oregon 51% 0% 6% 0% 0% 0%
May 24 Florida 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0%
June 7 California 0% 67% 0% 0% 0% 0%
June 7 South Dakota 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0%

Total number of vote in primaries:

candidates:

"Favorite Sons:"

Convention

Presidential Nomination

Presidential tally:[3]

Vice-Presidential Nomination

Kennedy announced Lyndon B. Johnson as his choice of running-mate on the afternoon following his nomination.[4] Johnson was nominated by acclamation that evening.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Schlesinger, Arthur M. (2002) [1978]. Robert Kennedy and His Times. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 195. ISBN 0-618-21928-5.
  2. ↑ Our Campaigns - US President - D Primaries Race - Feb 01, 1960
  3. ↑ Our Campaigns - US President - D Convention Race - Jul 11, 1960
  4. ↑ White, Theodore (1961). The Making of the President 1960. Giant Cardinal. p. 212.
  5. ↑ Lawrence, W. H. (July 15, 1960). "Johnson is Nominated for Vice President; Kennedy Picks Him to Placate the South". New York Times. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
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