The Populist Party held their presidential nominating convention for the 1904 United States presidential election in Springfield, Illinois from July 4 to 6, 1904.
Logistics The convention was held in the State Arsenal in Springfield, Illinois, which was considered to be a relatively sizable venue.
Former U.S. Congressman Luman Hamlin Weller of Iowa served as the temporary chairman at the start of the convention. J. H. Edmiston was appointed chair of the Committee on Resolutions.
Among the notable speakers at the convention was William V. Allen, former U.S. Senator from Nebraska.
Nomination In the preceding 1896 and 1900 elections, the party had co-endorsed the Democratic presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan in an electoral fusion arrangement. In 1904, however, the Populists were dissatisfied with the failure of Bryan to emerge as a contender at the 1904 Democratic National Convention, and in response chose to nominate their own unique ticket separate from that of the Democrats.After two ballots, Thomas Watson was selected as the party's presidential candidate and Thomas Tibbles was selected as his running mate.
Presidential ballotting1st2ndThomas E. Watson334698William V. Allen3190Samuel W. Williams 450
Vice-presidential ballotting1st Thomas H. Tibbles 698
References