John Clinton McGee, July, 1863 (Algiers?, La.) - March 31, 1936? (New York, NY?)
VP candidate for National Progressive Party (aka Progressive Party aka Bull Moose Party) (1928)
Running mate with nominee: Henry Hoffman (b. 1851)
Popular vote: ? (0.00%)
Electoral vote: 0/531
The campaign:
Omaha grocer and naturopathic doctor Henry Hoffman age 77, an old Bull Mooser, made an attempt to revive the party. With a convention consisting of less than a dozen delegates meeting in the back room of Hoffman's store, no one voted to approve the doctor's platform, but Hoffman declared it passed anyway, "It makes no difference."
The tiny party's presidential nomination was filled by Hoffman himself. Jane Addams was nominated as the running mate but she declined the honor, so John "Suspender Jack" McGee was chosen. There is no record I can find so far of McGee, who was a well known character in New York City, accepting or declining the decision.
Among the old time populist planks in the platform was a cap of a million dollars on personal income.
The Hoffman/McGee active campaign appeared to have ceased after the nominations-- either that or they ran a stealth electioneering effort since they did not appear on any ballots. Nor did Hoffman withdraw and endorse another candidate.
Election history:
1915 - Progressive Party nomination for Sheriff of New York County - defeated
Other occupations: entertainer in Wild West Show (until 1890), the "cowboy cop" in New York City (dismissed ca. 1902), sidewalk notary public, Pony Express rider, scout for the 5th US Cavalry, hunter for the Union Pacific Railroad, served in the AEF in Europe as Chief of the Bureau of Effects of Deceased
Buried: ?
Notes:
Known as "Suspender Jack" for using suspenders as reins on horses.
Arrested in 1902 for failure to pay alimony.
Started a stampede for nominating Oscar Straus for Governor via a stirring speech at the 1912 New
York Progressive Party convention.
Worked on behalf of Harry Thaw in 1914.
Was involved with the Independence Party in 1908.
Arrested during a Hearst-related political disturbance in New York City, Nov. 1905.
In Washington DC in 1880, his father Thomas was a clerk.
After the Civil War his father went to Brazil as a "Confederado" and took the family with him for
several years.
Performed with King & Franklin Circus and Wild West in 1887
Toured in Europe with "Mexican Joe" in August 1887.
