1924 United States presidential election

The 1924 United States presidential election was held on Tuesday November 4th, 1924. Federalist Vice President Sebastian R. Olson defeated Progressive Merland Senator Richard M. Wallace. The election was considered a landslide victory for the Federalist Party, and was concurrent with massive victories for the Federalists in both chambers of congress. Olson, who had been nominated by President Frederick R. Hamilton to the office of Vice President in 1922, succeeding the deceased Alexander W. Bennett, faced a strong challenge from Pencia Governor Frank H. Cassidy in the Federalist primaries. After an agreement between Olson and the third strongest candidate, Secretary of the Treasury Norman L. Hanford, Olson secured the nomination with Hanford as his running mate. The Progressive primary was also competitive - Wallace, seen as on the hardline of the reformist wing of the Progressive Party, faced former Vice President Colin F. Scott in the primaries. Wallace narrowly secured the nomination over Scott, which led to a walkout of moderate Progressives, who endorsed Olson.

The general election campaign was mostly centred around economic policy - Olson and the Federalists campaigned on the strength of the economy and the credit that the Hamilton administration had gained for its success. The Federalist platform called for a continuation of the laissez-faire policies they had previously triumphed, including minimum government interference in the free market and low taxes. Wallace, on the other hand, campaigned on fighting the inequality within society despite the strong economy - the Progressive platform in 1924 called for comprehensive reforms to the taxation system, the weakening of business monopolies and greater government regulation. Pundits claimed that in contrast to the 1916 and 1920 elections, this election was far more policy based than personality based, although some controversial past statements from Wallace did become a campaign issue. Despite the strong victory for Olson, Wallace arguably outperformed expectations in the popular vote - his vocal, grassroots populist movement gained traction with a section of voters who were growing further dissatisfied with the establishment, and caused many socialist voters to tactically vote for Wallace.

Federalist Party nomination
Federalist candidates:


 * Sebastian R. Olson, 42nd Vice President of the United States (became nominee)
 * Frank H. Cassidy, 46th Governor of Pencia (defeated at convention)
 * Norman L. Hanford, 58th U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (withdrew at convention, became VP nominee)
 * Abraham U. Jackson, 40th Vice President of the United States (withdrew during primaries)
 * Joseph P. F. Harris, 54th Governor of Totford (withdrew before primaries)
 * Bryan T. Wilde, U.S. Senator from Alton (defeated at convention)

Progressive Party nomination
Progressive candidates:


 * Richard M. Wallace, U.S. Senator from Merland (became nominee)
 * Colin F. Scott, 39th Vice President of the United States (defeated at convention)
 * William T. Peters, 52nd Governor of Winhesia (withdrew at convention, became VP nominee)
 * Joseph C. Hartley, U.S. Representative [WA-3] (withdrew during primaries)