JFK WINS NOMINATION ON 1ST BALLOT
Los Angeles (JFK+50) On the evening of July 13, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts was nominated on the first ballot at the Democratic National Convention here in Los Angeles.
Senator Kennedy, who defeated his closest rival, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, by a 2 to 1 margin, became the first United States Senator since Warren G. Harding to be nominated by either major party for president.
According to Constitution Daily, JFK's nomination "was a big moment for the primary system" because the Massachusetts senator was able to "leverage...the system...as a new factor in presidential campaigning."
It was Senator Kennedy's victory in the West Virginia primary which proved crucial because JFK, a Catholic, proved his ability to win in a predominantly Protestant state.
It was the state of Wyoming, however, which put JFK over the top 55 years ago tonight. The spokesman for the delegation said...
"Mr. Chairman, Wyoming's vote will make a majority for Senator Kennedy."
The TOP FOUR final delegate vote tally was...
Kennedy 806
Johnson 409
Symington 86
Stevenson 80
SOURCE
"Kennedy's nomination was a big moment for the primary system," Constitutional Daily, www.blog.constitutioncenter.org/
On the Floor of the Convention
www.lib.unc.edu
