Aaron M. Orange

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.

Emil F. Teichert

Emil F. Teichert, December 17, 1897 (West Newton, Penn.) - January 9, 1972 (Lake Hill, NY)

VP candidate for Socialist Labor Party (aka Industrial Government Party) (1936)

Running mate with nominee: John W. Aiken (1896-1968)

Popular vote: 12,799 (0.03%)

Electoral vote: 0/531

The campaign:

In 1936 the Socialist Labor Party elevated their 1932 VP nominee John W. Aiken to be the standard bearer. Emil F. Teichert, a resident of New York, was chosen as the running mate.

The 1936 SLP platform didn't think much of FDR's New Deal policies:
  
"Where a social revolution is pending and, for whatever reason, is not accomplished, reaction is the alternative. Every reform granted by capitalism is a concealed measure of reaction, exemplified by the NRA, AAA, TVA, CCC, WPA, etc. He who says reform says preservation, and he who says that reforms under capitalism are possible and worthwhile thereby declares that a continuation of capitalism is possible and worthwhile. But capitalism has grown into an all-destroying and all-devouring monster that must itself be destroyed if humanity is to live. Fascism, Nazism, Absolutism in government-- in short, Industrial Feudalism-- are but means in the  attempts to preserve capitalism.

American capitalism, along with capitalism in the rest of the world  today, is trembling in the balance between decay or progress, reaction or revolution. THIS IS THE HISTORIC HOUR OF THE AMERICAN WORKING CLASS"

It was a pretty bad year for the SLP at the ballot box, even for them. They finished in a dismal 7th place. Presented as an option in the voting booth in 15 states, their best result was in Rhode Island with 0.30%.

Election history:
1932 - Lt. Governor of New York (Socialist Labor Party) - defeated
1933 - New York City Board of Aldermen President (Socialist Labor Party) - defeated
1934 - Lt. Governor of New York (Socialist Labor Party) - defeated
1937 - Mayor of New York City (Industrial Government Party) - defeated

Other occupations: office worker for the Pennsylvania Railroad, book translator, lecturer, newspaper writer

Buried: ?

Notes:
The winner in the 1937 mayoral race was Fiorello LaGuardia.
Older brother of 1944-1948 SLP Presidental nominee Edward A. Teichert.
Presidential electors in Pennsylvania (where the SLP was called the Industrial Labor Party) included
 E.A. Teichert, Minnie J. Teichert, and Ernest M. Teichert.
Moved to Lake Hill, NY ca. 1947.

John W. Aiken

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

 Chelsea, Mass.
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.