Aaron M. Orange, July 11, 1905 (New York, NY) - Oct. 31, 1995 (Greensburg, Penn.?)
VP candidate for Socialist Labor Party (aka Industrial Government Party) (1940)
Running mate with nominee: John W. Aiken (1896-1968)
Popular vote: 14,883 (0.03%)
Electoral vote: 0/531
The campaign:
John W. Aiken was nominated for President in his second run for that office. Aaron M. Orange was selected as his running mate.
With Europe and Asia already self-destructing, the 1940 Socialist Labor Party platform included strong antiwar language in their platform, with the premise that war is byproduct of capitalism:
Unable to solve the problems at home, the capitalist class diverts attention from its failures to the anarchy abroad. The long anticipated war is now an irrevocable fact. Capitalist democracy is perishing in its flames. The belligerents which boasted the broadest liberties have scrapped the conquests of centuries of struggle for freedom over night. Perceptibly America is being drawn into the bloody vortex. Its exports have shifted from grain, fruit and plows to war-planes, guns and munitions. On this grim traffic is its "prosperity" based. War feeds on commerce; commerce feeds on war. Under the pretext of "national defense" and to a chorus of declamations for peace, its statesmen, New Deal, old deal, liberal and conservative alike, gird the nation for its fateful role. Punchinello-like, the political henchmen of the capitalist class move as their masters pull the strings.
In the same document the SLP slams the other parties, celebrating their long-held political isolation and unwillingness to act in any of sort of fusion:
In presenting the issue "Socialism or Capitalism" and a program for its solution, the Socialist Labor Party stands alone. All other parties, whether Republican, Democratic, "Socialist," "Labor," "Progressive," or "Communist," propose reforms which tend to preserve capitalism but fail to improve the lot of the workers. Therefore, we call upon the toilers of America, in order to implement their hope for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, to cast their ballot for the Socialist Labor Party, for the abolition of the capitalist system.
The Aiken/Orange ticket appeared on the ballot in 15 states. Their strongest finish was in Oregon with 0.52%.
Election history:
1932 - Governor of New York (Socialist Labor Party) - defeated
1933 - Mayor of New York City (Socialist Labor Party) - defeated
1934 - Governor of New York (Socialist Labor Party) - defeated
1935 - Justice of New York Supreme Court 1st District - defeated
1938 - Governor of New York (Industrial Government Party) - defeated
1942 - Governor of New York (Industrial Government Party) - defeated
Other occupations: school teacher, author
Buried: Hillview Cemetery (Greensburg, Penn.)
Notes:
Taught elementary public school in the Bronx
Was a conscientious objector during WWII, choosing Civilian Public Service Apr. 21, 1943-Oct. 12,
1945 and housed in camps at Big Flats, NY and Powellville, Md.
Married to Ruth (1912-2008)
Winner of the 1933 race for NYC Mayor was Fiorello LaGuardia.
His fellow losers in the 1938 race for NY Governor were Thomas Dewey and Norman Thomas.
Winner of the 1942 race for NY Governor was Thomas Dewey.
Testified to the US Senate in 1973 on behalf of the SLP regarding campaign finance reform.
His Romanian-born father, Adolph Orange, was apparently also a member of the SLP.
