1926 Pacific States presidential election

## 1926 presidential election

Second Round

The **1926 Pacific States presidential election** will be held on Tuesday, November 2nd 1926, with a second round runoff occurring on Thursday, December 2nd, 1926. Incumbent President James W. Mitchell is not seeking a third term, leaving an open field.

## Nominations

### Republican Party nomination

(1923 - Present)
(1903 - Present)

**Republican candidates:**

* Roland L. Crowley, Vice President of the Pacific States (1923 - Present)
* Francis G. Blaine, P.S. Representative from California's 117th District (1919 - Present)
* Theodore H. Peters, Mayor of Portland, Oregon (1920 - Present)

### Progressive Party nomination

(1917 - Present)
(1915 - Present)

**Progressive candidates:**

* Hubert A. Nelson, P.S. Senator from Oregon (1911 - Present) [defeated at convention]
* Brendan D. McFadden, P.S. Representative from California's 13th District (1917 - present) [became nominee]

### Democratic Party nomination

(1907 - Present)
(1919 - Present)

**Democratic candidates:**

* George D. Bryant, P.S. Senator from Washington (1907 - Present) [won nomination]
* Stephen P. Romanovich, P.S. Senator from Nevada (1923 - Present) [withdrew before primaries]
* Herbert H. Foster, P.S. Representative from California's 48th District (1919 - Present) [became VP nominee]

#### Primary Campaign and National Convention

The Democratic primaries fully commenced around January 1926, when the major candidates each declared their candidacy for the nomination. The first to declare was Nevada Senator Stephen P. Romanovich, followed by Washington Senator George D. Bryant and then California Congressman Herbert H. Foster. Although more minor candidates joined the race, none gained as much traction as the top three, although functionally it was seen as a race between Bryant and Romanovich due to Foster's status as a more third-place, marginal candidate. Bryant campaigned on modernising and moderating the party, while Romanovich campaigned on a more populist message adhering to the traditional values and appeal of the party, while Foster took a more left-leaning approach and called for a move of the party to adopting some more economically left-wing positions.

Early on, the polls were extremely close between Bryant and Romanovich. Bryant was viewed more favourably for his experience and Romanovich's young age of 37 hurt him with some voters. However, Romanovich's effective populist message drew some voters to his side, particularly farmers, who were dissatisfied with the Democratic establishment which Bryant was seen to represent. On March 16th, Romanovich was shot by Mexican immigrant Emiliano Fraga with unclear motivations, and later dropped out of the race. Bryant, from that point, became the frontrunner, and was nominated at the National Convention on June 24th. He allowed the Vice Presidential nomination to be left to an open ballot by the delegates, which led to the selection of Foster as his running mate over Romanovich, and the ticket was thus solidifed as Bryant-Foster.

Democratic National Convention - Presidential Ballot
 Stephen Petrovich Romanovich
 Other candidates

Democratic National Convention - Vice Presidential Ballots
**Ballot**
**Ballot**
**Ballot**
**Ballot**
 Other candidates