Alf Landon

Alfred Mossman "Alf" Landon (September 9, 1887 – October 12, 1987) was an American Republican politician from Kansas, notable nationally for his 1936 nomination as the Republican opponent of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Political life

Landon's interest in politics began early. He supported Theodore Roosevelt's Progressive party in 1912, and in 1922 was private secretary to the governor of Kansas. He later became known as the leader of the liberal Republicans in the state. He was elected chairman of the Republican state central committee in 1928 and directed the Republican presidential and gubernatorial campaigns in Kansas in that year.

Related Topics:
Theodore Roosevelt - Progressive - 1912 - 1922

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Landon was elected Governor of Kansas in 1932. He was re-elected governor in 1934 - the only Republican governor to be re-elected that year. He served as governor from 1933 until 1937. As Governor, Landon gained a reputation for reducing taxes and balancing the budget. Landon is often described as a fiscal conservative who nevertheless believed that government must also address social issues. He supported parts of the New Deal but opposed labor unions.

Related Topics:
Governor of Kansas - 1932 - 1934 - 1933 - 1937 - New Deal - Labor unions

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In 1936, Landon chose not to run for re-election as Governor but to become the Republican presidential nominee opposing the re-election of FDR. At the Republican National Convention in 1936, Landon was nominated for the presidency on the first ballot, with newspaper publisher Frank Knox selected as his running mate. Landon respected and admired FDR and accepted much of the New Deal but objected that it was hostile to business and involved too much waste. At the end of the campaign, Landon accused FDR of acquiring so much power that he was subverting the Constitution. Yet, Landon proved to be an ineffective campaigner who rarely travelled to make appearances and did not participate in the Republican primaries. Most of the attacks on FDR and social security during the 1936 election were developed by Republican campaigners rather than Landon himself.

Related Topics:
1936 - FDR - Republican National Convention - Frank Knox - Constitution - Social security

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The 1936 Presidential election was extraordinarily lopsided. Although Landon gained nearly 17 million votes and obtained the endorsement of track star Jesse Owens, he lost the popular vote by more than 10 million votes. He carried only Maine and Vermont for a total of 8 electoral votes to Roosevelt's 523. FDR's win was the most crushing electoral victory since 1820. The overwhelming Roosevelt victory prompted Democratic party boss James Farley to joke, "As Maine goes, so goes Vermont." After his defeat, Landon did not seek elective office again. He remained active in Republican politics and pursued his interests in the petroleum business.

Related Topics:
1936 Presidential election - Jesse Owens - Maine - Vermont - Roosevelt - 1820 - Democratic - James Farley - As Maine goes, so goes Vermont - Petroleum

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