1928 Election (The Hearse at Monticello)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Easily renominated by the People's Party, President Sinclair heads into the fall campaign determined to vindicate his record after an embarrassing defeat in the 1926 Midterms. His main opponent is Senator Herbert Hoover, a noted philanthropist and one of the most admired men in the United States. Hoover is running on a platform of governmental restraint and economic prosperity, arguing that Sinclair's "heavy-handed" treatment of the nation's businesses will have a catastrophic effect on the economy. The dying Democratic Party is running John W. Davis, one of the last elected Democrats in Washington, as its candidate. Davis achieved notoriety three years ago for his outspoken opposition to Sinclair's Civil Rights agenda, and many within the party - including his running mate, former Senator Pomerene - are attempting to distance themselves from his candidacy.

The choice is yours': Sinclair, Hoover, or That Other Guy. Have at it!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Sinclair, but I don't understand why Burton K. Wheeler was dropped.

Roosevelt got more mentions in the convention thread (1) than Wheeler (0), so she got the nomination. I suppose the in-universe explanation would be that, in light of the American Midterm victory in 1926, the Populists felt they needed a fresh face on the ticket to secure Sinclair's reelection.

Despair not: Wheeler doesn't die until 1975, so there's plenty of time for a comeback.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I'm surprised to see John W Davis doing as well as he's done, considering what he's said and how bad the Dems are doing in this timeline. I'm supporting Sinclair, but I just thought it was odd.

Perhaps one of the most surprising aspects of this series has been that it is easier to kill a third party with a moderate than with a racist. Remember when Andrew Johnson got nearly 20% of the vote in 1872 as the Constitutional Unionist candidate?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

1928 Presidential Election

President Upton Sinclair (People's-California)/ Senator Eleanor Roosevelt (People's-New York): 425 Electoral Votes; 54.5% popular votes
Senator Herbert Hoover (American-California)/ Governor Frank O. Lowden (American-Illinois): 58 Electoral Votes; 27.3% popular votes
Congressman John W. Davis (Democratic-West Virginia)/ Fmr. Senator Atlee Pomerene (Democratic-Ohio): 48 Electoral Votes; 18.2% popular votes

Though the American Party had hoped its gains in the 1926 Congressional elections were a sign that the winds were shifting in their favor, President Upton Sinclair won reelection in a landslide in the Election of 1928, defeating Senator Hoover by nearly 30% and racking up the largest electoral college tally in history. Eleven months later, the nation would be plunged into a crisis that would test the ingenuity and resolve of the Californian author.