APRIL 2016 • NEBRASKAland 13
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Pershing's supporters faced a daunting task: build a
statewide organization before the April 1920 presidential
primary. Rival candidates Leonard Wood, former Chief of
Staff of the United States Army, and Senator Hiram Johnson
were far ahead.
The strategy for capturing the 16 Nebraska votes at
the Republican convention was to present Pershing as a
"favorite son" candidate and rely on voter loyalty to a fellow
Nebraskan. Nebraska voters went to the primary polls on
April 20, 1920. The final tally found Johnson the victor
with 63,262 votes; Wood, 42,385; and Pershing, 27,669.
Nebraska's "favorite son" carried only Lancaster County
by the slim plurality of 35 percent and was second choice
in another 10 counties near Lancaster. Pershing's name
never appeared before the Republican convention, which
nominated Warren G. Harding for President. Harding went
on to become the 29
th
President of the United States.
A number of factors were responsible for Pershing's
failure. Cautious and reserved by nature, he did little
personal campaigning and was often indecisive at crucial
moments. His localized campaign lacked the organization
and financing necessary to upset rival candidates, who had
entered the contest earlier and with more resources.
Pershing served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff from July
1921 to Sept. 1924, when he retired from military service.
He spent his remaining years serving on commissions and
traveling. He died in July 1948. He never lived in Nebraska
again, but his presidential bid demonstrates the connections
Lincoln had to the national political stage during this time
period. ■
Visit the Nebraska State Historical Society's website at
Nebraskahistory.org.
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Gen. Pershing inspects an honor guard in London, Aug. 8, 1919.
Pershing (left) in Lincoln, Nebraska, with his own relatives and
those of Governor Samuel McKelvie (back row, third from left),
on New Year's Day, 1920.
