The election of 1924 saw incumbent President Calvin Coolidge seek re-election against Democrat John W. Davis and Progressive Robert La Follette. With scandals, party divides, and a booming economy, it became one of the most intriguing contests of the Roaring Twenties.
Harding’s Presidency & The Teapot Dome Scandal
As covered in the 1920 election article, Ohio Senator Warren G. Harding swept to victory promising a “Return to Normalcy” after World War I. His presidency included calls for anti-lynching laws, racial equality in the South amid the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and a focus on infrastructure and balancing the budget.
However, Harding’s legacy was overshadowed by the Teapot Dome Scandal. Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall secretly leased government-owned oil reserves in Wyoming to private companies in exchange for bribes. This became the largest U.S. political scandal until Watergate.
On August 2, 1923, Harding died suddenly in San Francisco while his wife Florence read to him. Though conspiracy theories spread—ranging from food poisoning to being poisoned by his wife—it was ultimately a heart attack that ended his life. Harding’s declining health, worsened by influenza and lifestyle issues, made the sudden death less surprising.
The New President – Calvin Coolidge
Vice President Calvin Coolidge was sworn in the next day, August 3, 1923. Calm and reserved, Coolidge’s steady demeanor earned him the nickname “Silent Cal.” He immediately launched investigations into Harding’s administration, distancing himself from the scandal. His clean image reassured Americans at a time when faith in government was shaken.
The economy, meanwhile, was booming. America entered the “Roaring Twenties,” a decade of rising prosperity, stock market growth, and cultural dynamism. Coolidge embraced Harding’s laissez-faire approach: limited government interference in business, low taxes, and high tariffs. His campaign slogan, “Keep Cool with Coolidge,” reflected his steady hand in prosperous times.
At the Republican convention, Coolidge easily secured the nomination, defeating Progressive Republican Hiram Johnson. For his running mate, the GOP chose Charles Dawes—famed for the Dawes Plan to stabilize German reparations payments after WWI.
A Death in the Family
Coolidge’s path to re-election was marked by tragedy. In July 1924, his 16-year-old son, Calvin Jr., died from sepsis after a blister from playing tennis became infected. The president was devastated, later writing, “When he went, the power and the glory of the presidency went with him.”
Coolidge fell into bouts of depression, often retreating to long naps, but remained dedicated to his duties and campaign. His popularity carried him through despite the personal loss.
Democratic Chaos
The Democrats, deeply divided, struggled to find a unifying nominee. Their convention became one of the longest in U.S. history, lasting 16 days and requiring 103 ballots before a candidate was chosen.
The two frontrunners—William Gibbs McAdoo, a Protestant Southerner who supported Prohibition, and New York Governor Al Smith, a Roman Catholic and Prohibition opponent—were locked in deadlock. The compromise candidate was John W. Davis, a respected lawyer, former Congressman, and Ambassador to the UK from West Virginia. Davis selected Charles W. Bryan, Governor of Nebraska and younger brother of William Jennings Bryan, as his running mate.
Fighting Bob to the Rescue
Disillusioned progressives, unhappy with both major parties, rallied behind Senator Robert “Fighting Bob” La Follette of Wisconsin. Running under the revived Progressive Party banner, La Follette campaigned for government ownership of railroads, stronger labor rights, reduced U.S. imperialism, and aggressive anti-corruption measures. His VP was Burton Wheeler, a Democratic Senator from Montana.
La Follette’s campaign energized labor unions, farmers, and socialists, giving him the strongest third-party showing since Theodore Roosevelt’s Bull Moose run in 1912.
The Campaigns
Coolidge ran a quiet, dignified campaign, relying on his popularity and the booming economy. His focus on stability and prosperity resonated with voters.
Davis, though well-qualified, struggled to excite Democrats after the bitter convention fight. His conservative stances alienated progressives, while his moderate tone failed to draw conservatives away from Coolidge.
La Follette campaigned vigorously but faced limitations. While he energized progressive states like Wisconsin, he struggled to break into the South or big industrial cities.
The Results
The Election of 1924 ended in a decisive Republican victory:
- Calvin Coolidge: 382 electoral votes | 54% of popular vote
- John W. Davis: 136 electoral votes | 28.8% of popular vote
- Robert La Follette: 13 electoral votes (Wisconsin only) | 16.6% of popular vote
La Follette’s strong showing made him the most successful third-party candidate since Roosevelt, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Coolidge’s dominance.
Conclusion
The Election of 1924 secured Calvin Coolidge a full term in his own right. Following the scandal-ridden Harding administration, Coolidge offered Americans a steady hand during a time of prosperity. John W. Davis’s conservative Democratic platform failed to inspire, while Robert La Follette proved progressivism still had influence with a historic third-party performance.
Just as the 1920 election was defined by Harding’s promise of a “Return to Normalcy” after World War I, the 1924 race reflected a nation enjoying the prosperity of the Roaring Twenties. But as Coolidge settled into office, the groundwork was already being laid for the next contest. In the Election of 1928, a new Republican standard-bearer, Herbert Hoover, would rise — and face an unexpected Democratic challenger who would reshape American politics.
