W. F. Turner
Encyclopedia
W. F. Turner was a United States
Democratic elector
from Alabama
during United States presidential election, 1956
.
He is remembered as a faithless elector
. Although he pledged to vote for Democratic ticket - Presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson and his running-mate Estes Kefauver
, he cast his presidential vote on December 17, 1956 for circuit court judge from his hometown, Walter B. Jones
, totally unknown outside his area. However he voted for well-known United States Senator from Georgia
Herman Talmadge
for Vice President.
Turner later commented about his decision: I have fulfilled my obligations to the people of Alabama. I'm talking about the white people, a comment which suggested that he opposed Stevenson and Kefauver, who were liberal on civil rights (unlike Jones and Senator Talmadge, known for his pro-segregationist stance).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic elector
Electoral college
An electoral college is a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office. Often these represent different organizations or entities, with each organization or entity represented by a particular number of electors or with votes weighted in a particular way...
from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
during United States presidential election, 1956
United States presidential election, 1956
The United States presidential election of 1956 saw a popular Dwight D. Eisenhower successfully run for re-election. The 1956 election was a rematch of 1952, as Eisenhower's opponent in 1956 was Democrat Adlai Stevenson, whom Eisenhower had defeated four years earlier.Incumbent President Eisenhower...
.
He is remembered as a faithless elector
Faithless elector
In United States presidential elections, a faithless elector is a member of the Electoral College who does not vote for the candidate they have pledged to vote for...
. Although he pledged to vote for Democratic ticket - Presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson and his running-mate Estes Kefauver
Estes Kefauver
Carey Estes Kefauver July 26, 1903 – August 10, 1963) was an American politician from Tennessee. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the U.S...
, he cast his presidential vote on December 17, 1956 for circuit court judge from his hometown, Walter B. Jones
Walter Burgwyn Jones
Walter Burgwyn Jones was a judge, legislator, and writer from Alabama.-Political career:Jones served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1919 to 1920. He was then a circuit court judge until 1935. Jones was a presiding judge from 1935 to 1963.While presiding over New York Times Co. v...
, totally unknown outside his area. However he voted for well-known United States Senator from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
Herman Talmadge
Herman Talmadge
Herman Eugene Talmadge was an American politician from the U.S. state of Georgia. He served as governor of Georgia briefly in 1947 and again from 1948 to 1955. His term was marked by his segregationist policies. After leaving office Talmadge was elected to the U.S...
for Vice President.
Turner later commented about his decision: I have fulfilled my obligations to the people of Alabama. I'm talking about the white people, a comment which suggested that he opposed Stevenson and Kefauver, who were liberal on civil rights (unlike Jones and Senator Talmadge, known for his pro-segregationist stance).