From March 10 to May 19, 1936, voters of the Republican Party chose its nominee for president in the 1936 United States presidential election. The nominee was selected through a series of primary elections and caucuses culminating in the 1936 Republican National Convention held from June 9 to June 12, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Although many candidates sought the Republican nomination, only two, Governor Alfred Landon and Senator William Borah, were considered to be serious candidates.
While favorite sons County Attorney Earl Warren of California, Governor Warren E. Green of South Dakota, and Stephen A. Day of Ohio won their respective primaries, the 70-year-old Borah, a well-known progressive and "insurgent," carried the Wisconsin, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Oregon primaries, while also performing quite strongly in Knox's Illinois and Green's South Dakota. However, the party machinery almost uniformly backed Landon, a wealthy businessman and centrist, who won primaries in Massachusetts and New Jersey and dominated in the caucuses and at state party conventions.
Schedule and results + DateDelegates Primary William Borah Alfred LandonHerbert HooverArthur VandenbergFrank KnoxOthersUncommitted March 10 New Hampshire 0% 0% April 7 Wisconsin 98% 0% April 14 Illinois 54% 0% April 14 Nebraska 74% 25% April 28 Massachusetts preference primary 95,616 April 28 Pennsylvania 60% 0% May 5 California 0% 43% May 5 South Dakota 50% 0% May 12 Ohio 3% 6% May 12 West Virginia 85% 0% May 15 Oregon 90% 4% May 1932 New Jersey delegate primary 788,880 2480New Jersey preference primary 438,416
Candidates
Nominee CandidateExperienceHome stateCampaignPopular voteContests wonRunning mateAlf LandonGovernor of Kansas(1933–1937) Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party(1928–1930)Kansas(Campaign) Secured nomination: June 9, 1936869,602 (36.0%)3Frank Knox
Withdrew at convention These candidates participated in multiple state primaries or were included in multiple major national polls and withdrew their candidacy at the Republican National Convention. CandidateExperienceHome stateCampaignPopular voteContests wonWilliam BorahU.S. Senatorfrom Idaho(1907–1940)Idaho(Campaign)Withdrew at convention1,478,676 (44.5%)5
Withdrew prior to convention These candidates participated in multiple state primaries or were included in multiple major national polls and withdrew their candidacy prior to the start of the RNC. CandidateExperienceHome stateCampaignPopular voteContests wonFrank KnoxPublisher of theChicago Daily NewsIllinoisWithdrew before convention527,054 (17.8%)1
Favorite sons The following candidates ran only in their home state's primary or caucus for the purpose of controlling its delegate slate at the convention and did not appear to be considered national candidates by the media. CandidateExperienceHome stateCampaignPopular voteContests wonStephen A. DaySpecial counsel to the Comptroller of the Currency
(1926-1928)IllinoisWithdrew before convention527,054 (17.8%)1Warren Green Governor of South Dakota
(1931-1933) South Dakota1Earl WarrenDistrict Attorney of Alameda County
(1925 -1939) California1
Declined to run The following persons were listed in two or more major national polls or were the subject of media speculation surrounding their potential candidacy, but declined to actively seek the nomination.
Former Vice President Charles G. Dawes of Illinois Senator Lester J. Dickinson of Iowa (ran for re-election instead) Former President Herbert Hoover of California Former Governor Frank Lowden of Illinois Senator Charles L. McNary of Oregon Senator Arthur Vandenberg of Michigan
Polling
National polling Poll sourcePublicationGallupOct. 193526%1%12%8%33%3%GallupJan. 193628%1%17%7%43%4%GallupMarch 193620%1%14%5%56%4%GallupApr. 193619%1%14%5%56%5%GallupApr. 193618%1%14%6%55%6%
Convention
With Knox's candidacy withdrawing in order to become Landon's selection for vice president, and Day, Green, and Warren releasing their delegates, Landon's victory was assured.
+ Ballot Alfred Landon William Borah VP Ballot Frank Knox First 984 19 First 1,003
See also 1936 Democratic Party presidential primaries
References