Benjamin Gitlow, December 22, 1891 (Elizabethport, NJ) – July 19, 1965 (Crompond, NY)
VP candidate for Workers Party of America (aka Communist Party) (1924)
VP candidate for Workers (Communist) Party (aka Communist Party) (1928)
Running mate with nominee (1924, 1928): William Z. Foster (1881-1961)
Popular vote (1924): 38,669 (0.13%)
Popular vote (1928): 48,551 (0.13%)
Electoral vote (1924): 0/531
Electoral vote (1928): 0/531
The campaign (1924):
Lenin had died in January 1924 and the American Communists were already starting to divide over the events in the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, efforts to form a bloc with the Farmer-Labor Party had failed. And to top things off, Moscow had sent a Hungarian Communist named József Pogány aka John Pepper, to "manage" the Party but in reality all his efforts merely created more division. In this atmosphere the Workers Party of America nominated William Z. Foster and Benjamin Gitlow, representatives of two rival factions.
The campaign took place between Gitlow's two stints in prison 1920-1922 and 1925.
On the ballot in 15 states, their best showing was in Minnesota (0.54%)
The campaign (1928):
The Workers (Communist) Party inner strife continued to reflect the political power struggle taking place in the Soviet Union, including taking sides as either pro-Stalin or pro-Trotsky wings after the latter was expelled and exiled. In addition there was the good old fashioned American pattern of internecine warfare so prevalent in third parties. Once again Foster and Gitlow, by now more mortal enemies than ever, were on the same ticket.
With recorded votes in 35 states they placed fourth. The only state where they finished above 1% was Florida with 1.46% and most of those votes came from Alachua County which is something of a mystery.
Election history:
1917-1918 - New York State Assembly (Socialist Party of America)
1918 - New York State Assembly (Socialist Party of America) - Defeated
1921 - Mayor of New York City (Workers League) - Defeated
1926 - Governor of New York (Workers Party of America) - Defeated
Other occupations: retail clerk, garment cutter, journalist
Buried: ?
Notes:
His opponents for the 1926 Governor of NY election included Al Smith and his 1928 VP competitor
Jeremiah D. Crowley of the Socialist Labor Party.
His parent were Jewish Russian immigrants in the late 1880s.
Joined the Socialist Party of America 1909, joined the Communists 1919.
Worked closely with John Reed.
Served in prison 1920-1922, 1925 charged with advocating "criminal anarchy."
Was arrested at the 1922 Bridgman Convention along with Caleb Harrison (who had been the
Socialist Labor Party VP candidate in 1916)
Was expelled from the Communist Party in 1929 during a purge of "Right Oppositions" and then
joined the misnamed Communist Party (Majority Group) aka Lovestoneites. Formed his owned
Right-wing Communist party, the Workers Communist League aka Gitlowites in 1933.
Briefly rejoined the Socialists in 1934 and then became a very public outspoken conservative anti-
Communist in the late 1930s.
Was associated with anti-Communist (and later disgraced over sex scandal charges) Rev. James
Hargis.
The 1924 and 1928 campaigns showed us that charges of Russian meddling in American elections
plus questionable votes from Florida have a history.
