America First Party (1940)

The isolationist America First Party had its roots in the America First Committee, founded in September, 1940. The party, founded in approximately 1942 or 1943, lived on through World War II and several years thereafter.

The America First Party founding

1941-1944

Despite the dissolution of the America First Committee, some members vowed to fight on with their isolationist principles, and founded the America First Party. Its leader, Gerald Smith, was the party's presidential candidate in the 1944 U.S. Presidential Election. The results were less than encouraging for its members; Smith received 1,780 votes, mostly from the states of Texas and Michigan.

Smith's specific full party platform is not known as of the time of this writing.

Post 1944

The America First Party lived on in some form beyond 1944 and is believed to have been the same party (by name) formed in that year. Its platform beyond 1944 is not known at the time of this writing.

Presidential candidates

• 1952
  • Convention held August 25, 1952 in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Nominated Douglas MacArthur of Wisconsin for President, and Harry Flood Byrd of Virginia as Vice-President. Received 233 votes.
• Lar Daly in 1964