Alfred e smith biography wife

Member of the New York State Assembly.

Al smith accomplishments

Alfred Emanuel Smith December 30, — October 4, was the 42nd governor of New York , serving from to and again from to He was the Democratic Party 's presidential nominee in the presidential election , losing to Herbert Hoover of the Republican Party in a landslide. He resided in that neighborhood for his entire life. Although Smith remained personally untarnished by corruption, he—like many other New York Democrats—was linked to the notorious Tammany Hall political machine that controlled New York City politics during his era.

Smith also served as sheriff of New York County from to He was first elected governor of New York in , lost his bid for re-election, and was elected governor again in , , and Smith was the foremost urban leader of the efficiency movement in the United States and was noted for achieving a wide range of reforms as the New York governor in the s.

Smith was the first Roman Catholic to be nominated for president of the United States by a major party.

Alfred e smith importance

His presidential candidacy mobilized both Catholic and anti-Catholic voters. Smith was also a committed "wet" i. As a "wet", Smith attracted voters who wanted beer, wine, and liquor and did not like dealing with criminal bootleggers, along with voters who were outraged that new criminal gangs had taken over the streets in most large and medium-sized cities.

Smith then entered business in New York City, and became involved in the construction and promotion of the Empire State Building. He sought the Democratic presidential nomination but was defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt , his former ally and successor as governor of New York. During the Roosevelt presidency, Smith became an increasingly vocal opponent of Roosevelt's New Deal.