Endorsements in the 1928 Democratic Party presidential primaries

This is a list of endorsements for declared candidates in the Democratic primaries for the 1928 United States presidential election.

This list only includes endorsements by notable individuals and organizations which have been reported in reliable independent sources. Endorsement by individuals does not imply endorsement by their organization.

Alfred Smith

List of Alfred Smith endorsements (Pre-Convention)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• William Wilson, U.S. Secretary of Labor (1913–1921)^[1]
• John H. Caldwell, frmr. Assistant U.S. Assistant Attorney General^[2]
• Albert Burleson, U.S. Postmaster General (1913–1921)^[3]
• Thomas Watt Gregory, U.S. Attorney General (1914–1919)^[4]

U.S. Senators

Current

• James Phelan, U.S. Senator from California (1915-1921)^[5]
• Thomas Bayard Jr., U.S. Senator from Delaware (1922-1929)^[6]
• Daniel Steck, U.S. Senator from Iowa (1926-1931)^[7]
• David Walsh, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts (1926-1947)^[8]
• William Bruce, U.S. Senator from Maryland (1923-1929)^[6]
• Edward Edwards, U.S. Senator from New Jersey (1923-1929)^[6]
• Royal Copeland, U.S. Senator from New York (1923-1938)^[9]
• Robert Wagner, U.S. Senator from New York (1927-1949)^[6]
• Edward Edwards, U.S. Senator from New Jersey (1923-1929)^[6]
• Peter Gerry, U.S. Senator from Rhode Island (1917-1929)^[6]

Former

• Oscar Underwood, U.S. Senator from Alabama (1915-1927)^[10]
• Johnson Camden Jr., U.S. Senator from Kentucky (1914-1915)^[11]

U.S. Representatives

Governors

• James Cox, Governor of Ohio (1917-1921)^[12]
• Nellie Tayloe Ross, Governor of Wyoming (1925-1927)^[13]
• Huey Long, Governor of Louisiana (1928-1932)^[14]

Statewide officials

• James Farley, Chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission^[15]
• Humphrey J. Lynch, frmr. New York State Supreme Court Justice^[16]
• Matt Sullivan, Chief Justice of California (1914-1915) (Republican)^[17]
• George Lunn, Lieutenant Governor of New York (1923-1924)^[18]
• Charles Cole, Adjutant General of Massachusetts (1914-1916)^[19]

State legislators

• Martin McCue, New York State Senator (1921)^[20]

Local officials

• Jimmy Walker, Mayor of New York City (1926-1932)^[21]
• James Curley, Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts (1922-1926)^[19]
• Andrew Peters, Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts (1918-1922)^[22]
• W.A. Gunter, Jr., Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama (1919-1940)^[23]

Party officials

• J. Bruce Kremer, Democratic National Committeeman (D-MT)^[24]
• Joseph Guffey, Democratic National Committeeman (D-PA)^[25]
• Isidore Dockweiler, Democratic National Committeeman (D-CA)^[5]
• Mrs. John R. Eskridge, Democratic National Committeeman (D-DE)^[26]
• John F. Costello, Democratic National Committeeman (D-DC)^[26]
• Florence Harriman, Democratic National Committeewoman (D-DC)^[26]
• Teresa M. Graham, Democratic National Committeewoman (D-ID)^[26]
• D. J. McGillicuddy, Democratic National Committeeman (D-ME)^[26]
• Edward Quinn, Democratic National Committeeman (D-MA)^[26]
• William Comstock, Democratic National Committeeman (D-MI)^[26]
• Etta C. Boltwood, Democratic National Committeewoman (D-MI)^[26]
• Joseph Wolf, Democratic National Committeeman (D-MN)^[26]
• Jessie E. Scott, Democratic National Committeewoman (D-MN)^[26]
• Norman Mack, Democratic National Committeeman (D-NY)^[26]
• Elisabeth Marbury, Democratic National Committeewoman (D-NY)^[26]
• R. B. Murphy, Democratic National Committeeman (D-ND)^[26]
• Will R. King, Democratic National Committeeman (D-OR)^[26]
• Patrick H. Quinn, Democratic National Committeeman (D-RI)^[26]
• Frank Duffy, Democratic National Committeeman (D-VT)^[26]
• George F. Christensen, Democratic National Committeeman (D-WA)^[26]
• Elizabeth D. Christian, Democratic National Committeewoman (D-WA)^[26]
• C. W. Osenton, Democratic National Committeeman (D-WV)^[26]
• John Callahan, Democratic National Committeeman (D-WI)^[26]
• Gertrude Bowler, Democratic National Committeewoman (D-WI)^[26]
• Patrick J. Quealy, Democratic National Committeeman (D-WY)^[26]
• Wilbur Marsh, Democratic National Committee Treasurer (D-IA)^[26]
• Park Pollard, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Vermont^[27]

Individuals

• George Olvany, Grand Sachem of Tammany Hall (1924-1929)^[28]
• Fred Johnson^[29]
• Robert Ewing, publisher^[30]
• Edward House, diplomat, adviser to President Woodrow Wilson^[31]
• Gertrude Atherton, author^[32]
• Eleanor Roosevelt, activist^[18]
• Harold Schoenecker, lawyer and businessman^[33]
• Caroline O'Day, activist^[34]
• Sybil McCaslin Bowers, activist^[34]
• Angela Delagi, activist^[34]
• Florence Whitney, activist^[34]
• Rosalie Solomons Philips, politician^[34]
• Gertrude Ely, philanthropist^[34]
• Roger Baldwin, Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (1917-1950)^[35]

Newspapers

Organizations

Ambassadors

• Roland Morris, ambassador to Japan (1917-1920)^[36]
• Henry Morgenthau Sr., ambassador to Turkey (1913-1916)^[28]
• Robert Jeffery, ambassador to Uruguay (1915-1921)^[2]

James Reed

List of James Reed endorsements (Pre-Convention)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

U.S. Senators

Current

• Henry Ashurst, U.S. Senator from Arizona (1912-1941)^[6]
• Harry Hawes, U.S. Senator from Missouri (1926-1933)^[6]

Former

• Xenophon Wilfley, U.S. Senator from Missouri (1918)^[37]
• Joseph Weldon Bailey, U.S. Senator from Texas (1901-1913)^[38]

U.S. Representatives

Governors

• Jonathan Davis, Governor of Kansas (1923-1925)^[39]
• Frederick Gardner, Governor of Missouri (1917-1921)^[40]
• Oswald West, Governor of Oregon (1911-1915)^[29]

Statewide officials

State legislators

Local officials

Party officials

Individuals

• Samuel Fordyce Jr., businessman^[41]
• Ed Villmoare, businessman^[42]
• Lee Meriwether, author and government official^[43]

Newspapers

Organizations

Walter George

List of Walter George endorsements (Pre-Convention)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

U.S. Senators

• William Harris, U.S. Senator from Georgia (1919-1932)^[44]
• Furnifold Simmons, U.S. Senator from North Carolina (1901-1940)^[45]

U.S. Representatives

• Charles Gordon Edwards, U.S. Representative from GA-1 (1925-1931)^[44]
• Edward Cox, U.S. Representative from GA-2 (1925-1952)^[44]
• Charles Crisp, U.S. Representative from GA-3 (1913-1932)^[44]
• William Wright, U.S. Representative from GA-4 (1918-1933)^[44]
• Leslie Jasper Steele, U.S. Representative from GA-5 (1927-1929)^[44]
• Samuel Rutherford, U.S. Representative from GA-6 (1925-1932)^[44]
• Malcolm Tarver, U.S. Representative from GA-7 (1927-1947)^[44]
• Charles Hillyer Brand, U.S. Representative from GA-8 (1917-1933)^[44]
• Thomas Montgomery Bell, U.S. Representative from GA-9 (1905-1931)^[44]
• Carl Vinson, U.S. Representative from GA-10 (1914-1965)^[44]
• William Chester Lankford, U.S. Representative from GA-11 (1919-1933)^[44]
• William Washington Larsen, U.S. Representative from GA-12 (1917-1933)^[44]

Governors

Statewide officials

State legislators

Local officials

• Clark Howell, State Senator from Georgia^[44]

Party officials

• John Cohen, Democratic National Committeeman (D-GA)^[44]

Individuals

• George F. Milton, editor of The Chattanooga News^[44]
• Mary Harris Armor, temperance leader^[46]

Newspapers

Organizations

Thomas Walsh

List of Thomas Walsh endorsements (Before May 5, 1928)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

• William McAdoo, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (1913–1918)^[47]
• Josephus Daniels, U.S. Secretary of the Navy (1913–1921)^[48]

U.S. Senators

• Woodbridge Ferris, U.S. Senator from Michigan (1923-1928)^[49]
• Burton Wheeler, U.S. Senator from Montana (1923-1947)^[50]
• Henry Myers, U.S. Senator from Montana (1911-1923)^[51]

U.S. Representatives

• Tom Stout, U.S. Representative from MT-AL Seat B (1913-1917)^[51]

Governors

• Sam Stewart, Governor of Montana (1913-1921)^[51]

Statewide officials

State legislators

• Claude F. Morris, State Senator from Montana (1916-1920)^[51]
• James O'Connor, State Representative from Montana (1917-1918)^[51]

Local officials

Party officials

• James Moyle, Democratic National Committeeman (D-UT)^[26]

Individuals

• George F. Milton, publisher^[52]
• Ella Boole, temperance leader and social reformer^[53]
• Kathleen Norris, novelist and newspaper columnist^[54]
• George Creel, investigative journalist, writer and government official^[54]

Newspapers

Organizations

Albert Ritchie

List of Albert Ritchie endorsements (Before June 18, 1928)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

U.S. Senators

U.S. Representatives

Governors

Statewide officials

State legislators

Local officials

Party officials

Individuals

• Michael Joseph Curley, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington^[55]

Newspapers

Organizations

Evans Woolen

List of Evans Woolen endorsements (Pre-Convention)

U.S. Executive Branch officials

U.S. Senators

U.S. Representatives

Governors

Statewide officials

State legislators

Local officials

Party officials

• Charles A. Greathouse, Democratic National Committeeman (D-IN)^[26]

Individuals

Newspapers

Organizations

References

1. "SMITH IS ENDORSED BY PENNSYLVANIANS; Four Hundred Democratic Leaders Pledge to Work for His Nomination. CALL HIM PARTY CHIEF State's 700,000 Democrats Are Promised to Governor in "Winning Battle." Called Smith Party Leader. Criticizes Lindbergh Trip. SMITH IS ENDORSED BY PENNSYLVANIANS". The New York Times.
2. "SMITH IS ASSURED OF IDAHO DELEGATION; Governor's Managers Get Promise of Full Support From That State". The New York Times.
3. "BURLESON BACKS SMITH.; Ex-Postmaster General Comes Out for Volstead Act Revision". The New York Times.
4. "T.W. GREGORY A CANDIDATE.; Ex-Attorney General Picked for Delegate by Houston Smith Forces". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
5. "PHELAN OUT FOR SMITH.; Californian Who Nominated McAdoo Will Head Delegation for Governor". The New York Times.
6. "Smith, Hoover, Reed Senate '28's Favorites". The Capital Times. January 6, 1928. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
7. "CALIFORNIA VICTORY EXPECTED FOR SMITH; This Would Eliminate McAdoo and Assure Nomination, Governor's Friends Say. BUT FACES A HARD FIGHT Iowa, Another Key State for Governor, Will Be Centre ofKeen Contest. Expect 600 Delegates. McNab's Death a Handicap. Situation in Iowa. Plan to Modify Two-Thirds Rule". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
8. "PLANS TO PUT SMITH ACTIVELY IN RACE; State Committee Will Present His Candidacy Formally After April Primary. WOULD END COMPLICATIONS Such Action, Friends Hold, Is Necessary to Meet Diversified Problems in Various States. Replies to Michigan's Request. Will File in South Dakota". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
9. "NATION NEEDS SMITH, COPELAND DECLARES; Tells Women's Federation That Governor's Stand on Power Was His Bravest Act. SEES STRENGTH IN SOUTH Senator, After Touring 30 States, Says People Everywhere Are Looking to the Governor". The New York Times.
10. "UNDERWOOD SEES ELECTION OF SMITH; Former Senator Declares the Masses Are Demanding Change in Government. DRYS WIN STATE PRIMARY Returns From 28 Counties of Alabama Give Opponents Three Delegates, Smith One". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
11. "SMITH SEEMS TO BE CHOICE OF KENTUCKY; Democratic Delegates Counted for Governor After Votes for Favorite Son. STATE WANTS TOURISTS Executive Gets Commission and Fund to Tell About Attractions of Commonwealth. Barkley May Not Run. Fight Over Health Board. $15,000,000 for Roads". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
12. "SMITH THE NOMINEE, EX-GOV. COX ASSERTS; He Says Also That Republican Corruption May Become a Chief Issue in Campaign. CITES PARTY DEBT PAYMENT Praises the Governor's Record, His Ability, Courage and Integrity-- Thinks Hoover Will Be Rival". The New York Times.
13. "Mrs. Ross, Protestant and Dry, Favors Smith for President". The New York Times.
14. "SEE SMITH GAINING DESPITE HIS RIVALS; Managers Say 74 Delegates So Far Elected Are All For the Governor. CHANGE TACTICS THIS YEAR Supporters Urge Instructions and the Unit Rule Where It Is Possible. Assurances From Louisiana. To Enforce Unit Rule". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
15. "Farley and Lynch Named Delegates". The New York Times.
16. "REED BOOM IN WEST FAILS TO HALT SMITH; Governor Makes Headway as Senator's Candidacy Is Said to Show Little Progress. IOWA STRONG FOR GOVERNOR Florida, With Smith Men Active, Refuses to Hold a Preference Primary". The New York Times.
17. "ROLPH SEES SMITH CALIFORNIA VICTOR; San Francisco Mayor, in Call on Walker, Says Governor Will Win in Primary. HARD FIGHT WITH WALSH Ex-Justice Sullivan, a Republican, Tells of Changing Registration to Vote for New Yorker". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
18. "PREPARE TO LAUNCH SMITH CANDIDACY; Democrats Drafting Call for Submission Tomorrow to State Committee. GOVERNOR TO BE ABSENT Delegates to Convention Will Be Picked--Selection of Two Senators Held Unlikely". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
19. "LAUD SMITH IN BOSTON.; New England Democrats Cheer Name of Governor". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
20. "M'CUE DENOUNCES TAMMANY DETRACTORS; In Speech Favoring Gov. Smith, He Replies to Charges of Allen and Heflin". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
21. "TAMMANY ACCLAIMS SMITH AS CANDIDATE; Walker Says It Must Lead the Fight for Liberty as It Did in Colonial Days. SEES NATION FACING TEST 1,500 Democratic Leaders of the City Gather at Annual Dinner of Speakers' Bureau". The New York Times.
22. "Hoover's Hat In Ring In Indiana". The Hartford Daily Courant. March 9, 1928. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
23. "ALABAMA DRY TICKET WINS.; But Two Counties Elect Smith Delegates to Houston". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
24. "M'ADOO EX-LEADER BACKS GOV. SMITH; Kremer of Montana Says West Considers New York Executive Is Entitled to Nomination. MINIMIZES LIQUOR ISSUE Disagrees With McAdoo That It Should Be Acid Test for Candidate --Holds Religion No Factor". The New York Times.
25. "GUFFEY SEEKS TO GET DELEGATES FOR SMITH; He Predicts 60 of Pennsylvania's 76 Will Back Governor-- McCormick Opposes Him". The New York Times.
26. "PARTY CHIEFS FAVOR NOMINATING SMITH ON HONESTY ISSUE; Of 35 National Committeemen Answering Inquiry, 25 Want Governor Chosen. OTHER VOTES SCATTERING Six Are Non-Committal, While Rest Are Divided Among Reed and Favorite Sons. EMPHATIC ON THE ISSUE Eighteen Members Hold That Oil Scandal Gives Democrats an Excellent Opportunity, Stress Honesty in Government. ARIZONA. DELAWARE. PARTY CHIEFS FAVOR NOMINATING SMITH". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
27. "VERMONT INSTRUCTS ITS EIGHT FOR SMITH; Orders Them to "Persistently Vote" for Him as "Right Kind of Man" for President. COOLIDGE COUSIN CHARIMAN New York Governor Is Praised at Convention as First to Help Vermont During Flood". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
28. "SMITH FRIENDS LEAN TO COX AS KEYNOTER; John W. Davis and R.S. Morris Also Are Considered for the Temporary Chairmanship. OLVANY SEES NO DEADLOCK He Predicts Coolidge or Dawes for Republicans and Looks for a Fight if It Is the Former". The New York Times.
29. "PROMISES SUPPORT FOR SMITH IN WEST; F.W. Johnson Expects Bulk of Delegations in Mountain and Coast States". The New York Times.
30. "LOUISIANA MEN FOR SMITH.; Delegation Is Named, With Chief Favoring the Governor". The New York Times.
31. "COUNT GIVES SMITH HOUSTON MAJORITY ON THIRD BALLOT; Friends See 579 Votes Assured Now, With 80 More in Reserve for Him. THEN NEED 75 TO NOMINATE Expect These From Doubtful Delegates, but See Them Sure With California Victory. HOUSE OUT FOR GOVERNOR Wilson's Adviser Says Smith Is the Only Democrat With Any Real Chance of Election. To Seek Majority on Third Ballot. May Get 18 From Arkansas. COUNT GIVES SMITH HOUSTON MAJORITY 659 Smith Votes in Sight. COL. HOUSE OUT FOR SMITH. Says Governor Is Only Democrat With Chance of Election. WOMEN HEAR SMITH PRAISED. Justice Black and G.G. Battle Address Southerners' Society". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
32. "MRS. ATHERTON URGES SMITH IN CALIFORNIA; Says He Is Only Candidate With Human Appeal--Southerners Also Aiding the Governor". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
33. "Youngest Houston Delegate Said to Be Milwaukee Man". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
34. "WOMEN AIDING SMITH TO DROP PARTY LINES; Pre-Convention Committee Here Votes to Carry Fight to All Nation for Governor". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
35. "BALDWIN URGES SMITH VOTE; Union Director Sees Chance to Strike Blow at Intolerance". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
36. "R.S. MORRIS DECLARES FOR SMITH IN 1928; New York Governor, Former Envoy Says, Is 'Outstanding Democrat' and Logical Nominee". The New York Times.
37. "REED ENTERS RACE, LASHING COOLIDGE AT MISSOURI RALLY; Asserts "Time Is Ripe, and Rotten Ripe," for a Change in Washington. ASSAILS HARDING REGIME Denounces Daugherty and Fall in Picture of Corruption -Attacks Mellon on Debts. 12,000 ACCLAIM SENATOR Demonstration for Him as Presidential Candidate Contrasts With Rebuke 7 Years Ago. REED ENTERS RACE, LASHING COOLIDGE". The New York Times.
38. "TEXANS CHEER REED AS HE OPENS HIS RACE, ASSAILING COOLIDGE; Senator Demands Return of Honesty in Government and End of "Privilege." MELLON ALSO IS ATTACKED Missourian Charges Treasury Head With Aiding "Big Business" With Special Favors. OIL SCANDAL DENOUNCED Plea Is Made for Democratic Harmony as Means to Oust "Boodlersand Lobbyists." Declaration of Principles. TEXANS CHEER REED ASSAILING COOLIDGE Assails Scrapping of Warships Turns to Attack on Mellon. Hits at War Debt Terms. Farmers and the Tariff. Oil Scandals Denounced. Reed Rebuked as "Jaywalker."". The New York Times.
39. "WEST SEES INCREASE IN SMITH SENTIMENT; Twin Falls (Idaho) Meeting Gets Reports From Ten States of Favorable Delegations. SMITH MEN MEET IN KANSAS. Fifty Democrats Plan Fight for Convention Delegates". The New York Times.
40. "Smith Wins Easy Over Reed, Walsh". The Missoulian. May 2, 1928. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
41. "SUPPORTERS START CAMPAIGN FOR REED; He Seeks Presidency and Will Not Again File for the Senate, Fordyce Announces". The New York Times.
42. "OFF TO TEXAS IN REED BOOM; Kansas City Man Going to Houston in Move to Nominate Senator". The New York Times.
43. "REED IS OUT IN OPEN FOR THE PRESIDENCY; TO 'FIGHT TO FINISH'; Candidacy of the Missourian Is Announced at Washington and Headquarters Established. FORDYCE IS HIS MANAGER Lee Meriwether, Second in Command, Says Senator Will Campaign for Delegates. HE MAY INVADE THE EAST Will Test Sentiment for Smith, but in the End May Throw His Strength to Governor". The New York Times.
44. "IMPETUS FOR GEORGE BOOM.; Senator Indicates He Would Accept First, Not Second, Place". The New York Times.
45. "FAVORITE SON MOVE SEEN AS ANTI-SMITH; Governor's Backers Say Candidates Are Being Brought Outto Deadlock Convention.FIFTEEN NOW IN THE FIELDSmith Men Confident "Irreconcilable Bloc" Can't Hold the Necessary One-third". The New York Times.
46. "DRY DELEGATES NAMED BY GEORGIA DEMOCRATS; Executive Committee Accepts the Full Ticket Chosen by Senator George". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
47. "M'ADOO FORCES BRING OUT WALSH AS DRY CANDIDATE; Will Back Montana Senator in Coming California Presidential Primary. HE HAS GIVEN HIS ASSENT Says at Washington That It Is 'Very Generous' of His Friendsto Think of Him. CATHOLIC AS WELL AS DRY Capital Holds McAdoo Can Now Insist He Does Not Fight Governor Smith on Religious Grounds". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
48. "Daniels To Support Walsh, of Montana". The Tampa Bay Daily Times. April 12, 1928. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
49. "FERRIS OPPOSES SMITH AS NOMINEE; Michigan Senator Comes Out for Walsh Because the Montanan Is a Dry. DECLINES TO RUN AGAIN First Rift in State Democrats' Trend Toward Support of New York Governor". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
50. "Walsh To Heal Religious Rift". The Spokane-Review. March 4, 1928. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
51. "Kremer Elected To High Position". The Anaconda Standard. April 1, 1928. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
52. "SMITH MEN EXPECTED; Governor's Supporters Believe He Is Still Sure to Get the Mountain States". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
53. "MRS. BOOLE BACKS WALSH.; Endorses Senator for President at W.C.T.U. Meeting in Brooklyn". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
54. "FIGHT FOR T.J. WALSH BEGUN IN CALIFORNIA; McAdoo Heads Delegate Slate on Platform of Restoration of Honest Administration". timesmachine.nytimes.com.
55. "CURLEY FAVORS RITCHIE.; Archbishop Says if He Could He Would Make Governor President". The New York Times.