John W. Aiken, August 12, 1896 (Bridgeport, Conn.) - December 14, 1968 (Bridgeport, Conn.)
VP candidate for Socialist Labor Party (1932)
Running mate with nominee: Verne L. Reynolds (1884–1959)
Popular vote: 34,038 (0.09%)
Electoral vote: 0/531
The campaign:
The SLP 1932 platform is an essay pointing out that the economic and social collapse taking place at that time as a result of the Great Depression is a confirmation of what they have been saying all along. In their speeches the SLP candidates for all offices not only accuse Roosevelt of attempting to save a failing capitalist system, but somehow they say the Socialist Party of America and the Communists are as well. Only the SLP, they maintain, follow Marx as he was meant to be followed.
In an election year where almost all of the other minor parties are merging, splitting, and brokering deals, the Socialist Labor Party remained an increasingly isolated and self-contained sectarian entity.
Their final vote in 19 states was nothing to write home about. Best showings were in Oregon (0.47%), Connecticut (0.38%), and New York (0.22%).
Election history:
1922 - Auditor of Massachusetts (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1928 - Auditor of Massachusetts (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1930 - Governor of Massachusetts (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1934 - Governor of Massachusetts (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1936 - US President (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1940 - US President (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1946 - US Senate (Conn.) (Socialist Labor) - defeated
Other occupations: furniture finisher, US Army Motor Transport Corps in WWI
Buried: cremated
Notes:
Became interested in the SLP as a teenager when a Party newspaper blew into his front yard in
VP candidate for Socialist Labor Party (1932)
Running mate with nominee: Verne L. Reynolds (1884–1959)
Popular vote: 34,038 (0.09%)
Electoral vote: 0/531
The campaign:
The SLP 1932 platform is an essay pointing out that the economic and social collapse taking place at that time as a result of the Great Depression is a confirmation of what they have been saying all along. In their speeches the SLP candidates for all offices not only accuse Roosevelt of attempting to save a failing capitalist system, but somehow they say the Socialist Party of America and the Communists are as well. Only the SLP, they maintain, follow Marx as he was meant to be followed.
In an election year where almost all of the other minor parties are merging, splitting, and brokering deals, the Socialist Labor Party remained an increasingly isolated and self-contained sectarian entity.
Their final vote in 19 states was nothing to write home about. Best showings were in Oregon (0.47%), Connecticut (0.38%), and New York (0.22%).
Election history:
1922 - Auditor of Massachusetts (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1928 - Auditor of Massachusetts (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1930 - Governor of Massachusetts (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1934 - Governor of Massachusetts (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1936 - US President (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1940 - US President (Socialist Labor) - defeated
1946 - US Senate (Conn.) (Socialist Labor) - defeated
Other occupations: furniture finisher, US Army Motor Transport Corps in WWI
Buried: cremated
Notes:
Became interested in the SLP as a teenager when a Party newspaper blew into his front yard in
Chelsea, Mass.
Lived his final years in a trailer park in East Hartford, Conn.-- none of neighbors were aware of his
Lived his final years in a trailer park in East Hartford, Conn.-- none of neighbors were aware of his
political past.
Was a resident of Boston when nominated in 1932.
Was a resident of Boston when nominated in 1932.
