Anna Marie Yezo, July 30, 1918 (Hoboken, NJ) - Nov. 18, 2012 (New Jersey)
VP candidate for American Third Party (1956), Poor Man's Party (1960, 1964)
Running mate with nominee (1956, 1960, 1964): Henry B. Krajewski (1912–1966)
Popular vote (1956): 1,829 (0.00%)
Popular vote (1960): 0 (0.00%)
Popular vote (1964): 0 (0.00%)
Electoral vote (1956): 0/531
Electoral vote (1960): 0/537
Electoral vote (1964): 0/538
The campaign (1956):
Henry B. Krajewski had gone through some changes since he ran for President on the Poor Man's Party in 1952. He ran for New Jersey Governor in 1953 under the Jersey Veterans Bonus Party, under the American Third Party for the US Senate in 1954, and he made an attempt for Mayor of Secaucus, NJ in 1955. He was now solidly a perennial candidate character.
He had also since the last election sold his pig farm and now relied on his tavern for regular income but continued to make the improvement of the farmers condition a staple in his campaign. His 1956 platform included a moratorium on income tax for families of 3+ people with incomes $5000 or less, veterans bonuses, 18-year olds having the right to vote, a national lottery to benefit hospitals and schools, and the USA should be able to annex Canada in payment of the UK's debt. He stated his goal was to be placed on the ballot in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, and Indiana.
His running mate was Anna Marie Yezo, described by the press as a "North Bergen mother and housewife," she was actually a former Democrat, recent mechanic and gas station owner who was outspoken on the issue of women's rights. When the announcement of her being the VP nominee was made in January, 1956, Krajewski stated, "Having a woman on the ticket will help my chances. Also, it will give women someone to vote for." They danced to Krawjewski's campaign polka theme song to the delight of the media. Also present was the Party's mascot, a piglet named "Little Miss Secaucus."
In March it was reported New Jersey Sec. of State Edward J. Patten, a Democrat, informed Krajewski it was unconstitutional to have Yezo on the ticket since they were from same state. Krajewski/Yezo apparently were later listed on the ballot, so some sort of negotiating must have taken place. Perhaps the candidate's stated goal of running in other states helped make the difference? In 1952 his running mate Frank Jenkins was also from NJ and no one objected at that time.
Three days before Election Day Krajewski endorsed Eisenhower but still voted for himself. He and his family and Yezo as well were actually invited to Ike's 1957 Inaugural Ball.
Krajewski/Yezo placed 7th out of seven parties on the ballot in New Jersey with 1,829 votes (0.07%), a much lower result than the 1952 run.
The campaign (1960):
Same ticket, but in the recycled round they returned to the original name of Krajewski's party, the Poor Man's Party.
This time New Jersey Sec. of State Patten flat-out refused to include electors for the Poor Man's Party on the ballot on the grounds that a Presidential ticket cannot have two people from the same state according to his interpretation of the US Constitution. His decision was upheld by NJ Attorney General David D. Furman. Journalists quoted Patten as telling Krajewski: "Your petition is a farce and a sham and an insult to the sacredness of our democratic processes ... You told me the other day that you have no plans to file in other states that would make you a bona fide candidate. You come into the office with a Victrola and started to play records. Another time you entered the office with a pig." Patten later claimed he meant "nothing personal" in his remarks.
The ruling, which Krajewski called "a dirty, lousy deal which stinks to high heaven," didn't slow down the campaign as they shifted into write-in mode. As late as Nov. 1960 Krajewski was still making campaign appearances, such as the Levittown (Penn.) Shop-a-Rama sponsored by the Levittown Businessmen's Association.
The campaign (1964):
Undaunted by petty legalities, Krajewski announced in Sept. 1964 he and Yezo would run a third time together, this time starting out from Day One as write-in candidates under the Poor Man's Party banner. The campaign was evidently more subdued than the previous efforts.
Also in 1964 Krajewski had offered himself as the VP nominee for President Lyndon Johnson and the Democrats, but response had he none.
Election history: none.
Other occupations: housewife, auto mechanic, gas station owner, stationary packer
Buried: Ocean County Memorial Park (Toms River, NJ)
Notes:
Sometimes called Anne Marie Yezo, Ann Marie Yezo, Ana Marie Yezo, Anne Mario Yezo.
Later lived in Brick, NJ
Anna Dopyera married Louis Yezo (1917-1969) in 1941.
Parents were immigrants from Czechoslovakia. Her father was an auto mechanic.
If elected in 1964 Yezo would have become President upon the death of Krajewski in 1966.
