1949 New York's 20th congressional district special election

February 2026 March 2021 1949 New York's 20th congressional district special election New York by-election no 1948 United States House of Representatives elections in New York 1948 1950 United States House of Representatives elections in New York 1950 May 17, 1949 New York's 20th congressional district 150x150px FDR Jr 1945 (cropped).jpg Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. Liberal Party of New York Four Freedoms 40,822 50.68% Benjamin Shalleck Democratic Party (United States) 24,352 30.23% William H. McIntyre Republican Party (United States) 10,026 12.45% Annette T. Rubinstein.png Annette Rubinstein American Labor Party 5,348 6.64% U.S. Representative Sol Bloom Democratic Party (United States) Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. Liberal Party of New York The 1949 New York's 20th congressional district special election was held on May 17, 1949, to elect the United States representative from New York's 20th congressional district. Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. won the election as the nominee of the Liberal and Four Freedoms parties. Background Sol Bloom, a member of Tammany Hall, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1923, and served fourteen terms.March 8, 1949 Sol Bloom, 78, Dies, Veteran Legislator 1 Democrat and Chronicle https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/162301317/ Newspapers.com He represented New York's 20th congressional district at the time of his death on March 7, 1949.Soyer 2012 150 A majority of the district's residents were Jewish and a large amount were Irish.Soyer 2012 152 There were 138,054 registered voters in the district.May 18, 1949 F.D.R. Jr., Shalleck Bring Out Record Vote 2C New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/162764251/ Newspapers.com Hugo Rogers, the borough president of Manhattan and a leader in Tammany Hall, hoped that Governor Thomas Dewey would not call a special election and would instead leave the seat vacant until the 1950 election.March 20, 1949 Tammany Hall Cool To Roosevelt Candidacy 14 Poughkeepsie Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/poughkeepsie-journal/162302324/ Newspapers.com The American Labor Party filed suit 28 days after Bloom's death for Dewey to schedule a special election.April 5, 1949 Bloom Successor Election Demanded 11 Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162303345/ Newspapers.com On April 7, Dewey called for an election to be held on May 17.April 7, 1949 Dewey Orders Election 2 Mount Vernon Argus https://www.newspapers.com/article/mount-vernon-argus/162303408/ Newspapers.com Nominations American Labor Annette Rubinstein, a member of the Communist Party USA, was nominated by the American Labor Party.Soyer 2012 154 She announced her candidacy at a memorial in Madison Square Garden for the fourth anniversary of Franklin D. Roosevelt's death.Soyer 2012 157 Liberal The Liberal Party of New York endorsed Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. the same day of his announcement,March 16, 1949 Dems Hesitate On F.D.R. Jr. 58 New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/162310751/ Newspapers.com formally gave him its nomination on April 13,April 14, 1949 F.D.R. Jr., Nominated 14 The Post-Star https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-star/162311156/ Newspapers.com and Roosevelt accepted it on April 19.April 20, 1949 Roosevelt Declares He's For Welfare of People 5 Daily Freeman https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-freeman/162693188/ Newspapers.com Marshall Field III, Joseph E. Davies, Henry Morgenthau Jr., Tallulah Bankhead, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. donated to his campaign.May 11, 1949 Tammany Says F.D, Jr., Behind Anti-Trumanites 2 The Post-Standard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard/162697841/ Newspapers.com Roosevelt threatened to run as the nominee of the Four Freedoms Party if he lost the Democratic nomination.April 11, 1949 Tammany To Act on FDR, Jr., Bid 6 Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162310982/ Newspapers.com 3,000 signatures were required to place him onto the ballotMay 2, 1949 He Hopes to Get Bloom's Congress Job 1 Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/dunkirk-evening-observer/162693393/ Newspapers.com and the Liberal Party claimed that it gathered 11,000-12,000 of the 26,000 signatures to give Roosevelt the Four Freedoms Party ballot line.Soyer 2012 159 On May 6, Tammany Hall filed a lawsuit to remove the Four Freedoms Party from the ballot,May 7, 1949 Roosevelt Party Protested 1 The Ithaca Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-ithaca-journal/162697705/ Newspapers.com but withdrew it on May 9.May 7, 1949 Tammany Drops Protest To FDR, Jr. 2 Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162697728/ Newspapers.com Democratic Owen McGivern, member of the New York State AssemblyMarch 21, 1949 Legislator Seeks Sol Bloom Post 1 The Post-Standard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard/162302525/ Newspapers.com Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., son of President Franklin D. Roosevelt Benjamin Shalleck Roosevelt, at the urging of Alex Rose,Soyer 2012 152May 22, 1949 Junior's Timetable of Victory C4 New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/162700142/ Newspapers.com announced his campaign on March 15March 16, 1949 FDR, Jr. to Seek Rep. Bloom's Seat 2 Buffalo Courier-Express https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express/162301752/ Newspapers.com despite living in Woodbury, which was outside of the district.March 25, 1949 F.D.R., Jr., Wins Praise of Rival 8 Press & Sun-Bulletin https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/162303088/ Newspapers.comMarch 28, 1949 FDR Jr. Leaves L.I. in Congress Bid 48 Newsday https://www.newspapers.com/article/newsday-suffolk-edition/162310844/ Newspapers.com Charles Horowitz, a former member of Tammany Hall, was Roosevelt's campaign manager. The Republican Party challenged Roosevelt's eligibility to vote in the special election, although he would still be allowed to run, due to his residency, but the New York Supreme Court ruled in Roosevelt's favor.May 9, 1949 Aim to Scratch F.D.R. Jr. from List of Voters 37 New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard/162697841/ Newspapers.comMay 11, 1949 Roosevelt's Right To Vote Upheld 1 Poughkeepsie Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/poughkeepsie-journal/162697966/ Newspapers.com Tammany Hall opposed Roosevelt and had Benjamin Shalleck run against him, believing that a Jew would fare better.Soyer 2012 153April 12, 1949 Tammany Group Spurns FDR, Jr., Bid 1 Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162311026/ Newspapers.com Shalleck's campaign was managed by Abraham Kaplan.May 2, 1949 Foe Says F.D.R. Jr. Took Runout on Tammany 6 The Record https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/162693351/ Newspapers.com Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd attacked Roosevelt's candidacy as an attempt to start a political dynasty in control of the New York State Democratic Party.March 20, 1949 Albany Mayor Hits Candidacy Of FDR, Jr. 9 Buffalo Courier-Express https://www.newspapers.com/article/buffalo-courier-express/162302683/ Newspapers.com Roosevelt claimed that Frank Costello used his influence in Tammany Hall to stop him from receiving the Democratic nomination.April 19, 1949 F.D.R., Jr., Blames Block on Costello 24 Press & Sun-Bulletin https://www.newspapers.com/article/press-and-sun-bulletin/162693151/ Newspapers.com Shalleck was given the nomination after a two-hour session, far longer than the normal few minutes, on April 11, and district leader Robert B. Blaikie, who opposed him and supported Roosevelt, walked out in protest.April 12, 1949 Tiger Picks Shalleck for Bloom Seat 2C New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/162762659/ Newspapers.com Republican William McIntyre was nominated by the RepublicansApril 23, 1949 GOP Names McIntyre 2 Staten Island Advance https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance/162763901/ Newspapers.com and Alexander Wolf managed his campaign.May 10, 1949 Foes of Roosevelt Foresee Big Vote 3 The Post-Standard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard/162697622/ Newspapers.com Results Roosevelt won the election with a majority of the vote.Moore Preimesberger Tarr 2001 1097 He raised $14,121 and spent $15,512 while Shalleck raised $2,465 and spent $439.May 11, 1949 FDR Jr. and Shalleck Are Attacked Over 'Spending Sprees' 51 The Buffalo News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news/162763228/ Newspapers.com 1949 New York's 20th congressional district special electionMoore Preimesberger Tarr 2001 1097Mearns 1950 769 Liberal Party of New York Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. 31,037 38.53% Four Freedoms Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. 9,785 12.15% Total Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. 40,822 50.68% Democratic Party (United States) Benjamin Shalleck 24,352 30.23% Republican Party (United States) William H. McIntyre 10,026 12.45% American Labor Party Annette Rubinstein 5,348 6.64% 80,548 100.00% Endorsements McIntyre endorsements Federal officials William L. Pfeiffer, member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 42nd congressional district (1949–1951)May 5, 1949 Pfeiffer to Aid G.O.P. Candidate in House Race 40 The Buffalo News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news/162764043/ Newspapers.com Roosevelt endorsements Federal officials Hubert Humphrey, member of the U.S. Senate from Minnesota (1949–1964; 1971–1978)Soyer 2012 158 John F. Kennedy, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 11th congressional district (1947–1953)Soyer 2012 158 Henry Morgenthau Jr., 52nd United States Secretary of the Treasury (1934–1945)April 10, 1949 F.D.R., Jr. Indorsed By Morgenthau 30 Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162310951/ Newspapers.com Robert F. Wagner, member of the U.S. Senate from New York (1927–1949)March 20, 1949 Wagner Backs F.D.R. Jr. 2 Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162302136/ Newspapers.com State officials Chester B. Bowles, 78th Governor of Connecticut (1949–1951) Herbert H. Lehman, 45th Governor of New York (1933–1942) Nathan Straus Jr., member of the New York State Senate (1921–1926)April 21, 1949 Nathan Straus For F.D.R. Jr. 74 New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/162693235/ Newspapers.com Local officials William O'Dwyer, 100th Mayor of New York City (1946–1950)March 17, 1949 FDR, Jr., Indorsed For Sol Bloom Seat 1 The Post-Standard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard/162301900/ Newspapers.com Organizations Amalgamated Clothing Workers of AmericaApril 13, 1949 Will Back F.D.R. Jr. 70 New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/162311090/ Newspapers.com Brotherhood of Sleeping Car PortersSoyer 2012 158 Congress of Industrial OrganizationsApril 19, 1949 FDR Jr. Receives CIO Political Action Support in Race 2 Democrat and Chronicle https://www.newspapers.com/article/democrat-and-chronicle/162693123/ Newspapers.com International Ladies Garment Workers UnionSoyer 2012 158May 19, 1949 Station WFDR Opened 2 The Post-Standard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard/162700178/ Newspapers.com New York State Young Democratic ClubApril 28, 1949 Democratic Split 1 Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162693327/ Newspapers.com Newspapers The New York TimesMay 8, 1949 Political Periscope 13A Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162697454/ Newspapers.com Notable individuals Mary McLeod Bethune, civil rights activistMay 14, 1949 Mary McLeod Bethune 3 The New York Age https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-new-york-age/162699190/ Newspapers.com Fannie Hurst, novelistMarch 23, 1949 Fannie Hurst 13 The Post-Standard https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-post-standard/162303003/ Newspapers.com Rubinstein endorsements Federal officials Leo Isacson, member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 24th congressional district (1948–1949) Vito Marcantonio, member of the United States House of Representatives from New York (1935–1937; 1939–1951) Henry A. Wallace, 33rd Vice President of the United States (1941–1945)April 27, 1949 Fitzpatrick Backs Shalleck in Race 22 The New York Times https://archive.org/details/sim_new-york-times_1949-04-27_98_33331 Shalleck endorsements Federal officials J. Howard McGrath, member of the United States Senate from Rhode Island (1947–1949)May 14, 1949 McGrath Supports Foe of F.D.R., Jr. 13 Syracuse Herald-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/syracuse-herald-journal/162699277/ Newspapers.com State officials Harold I. Panken, member of the New York State Senate (1947–1953) Party officials Paul Fitzpatrick, chair of the New York State Democratic PartySoyer 2012 158April 29, 1949 Young Democrats Bob State Organization 21 The Record https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-troy-record/162693353/ Newspapers.com J. Howard McGrath, chair of the Democratic National Committee (1947–1949)Soyer 2012 158 Organizations Democratic Congressional Campaign CommitteeMay 6, 1949 House Group to Support Opponent of FDR Jr. 1 The Buffalo News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news/162697328/ Newspapers.com Declined to endorse Organizations American Federation of LaborMay 6, 1949 No AFL Support for FDR Jr. 1 The Buffalo News https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-buffalo-news/162697294/ Newspapers.com References Works cited Mearns John The New York Red Book 59 Williams Press 1950 Moore John Preimesberger Jon Tarr David Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections Congressional Quarterly 2001 1-56802-602-1 https://archive.org/details/congressionalqua0002unse registration Soyer Daniel 'Support the Fair Deal in the Nation; Abolish the Raw Deal in the City': The Liberal Party in 1949 New York History Cornell University Press 2012 93 2 147–81 23645398 https://www.jstor.org/stable/23645398 New York 1949 20 New York 1949 20 1949 20 New York 20 United States House of Representatives 20 United States House of Representatives 1949 20 Category:Roosevelt family