Tammany Tiger’s Claw: Governor’s Endorsement Sparks Mayor La Guardia’s Reelection Fears

New York City, October 16, 1937 – In a shocking move that sent shockwaves through the nation’s capital of corruption, Governor Herbert H. Lehman has thrown his weight behind Tammany-backed candidate Jeremiah T. Mahoney in the mayor’s reelection bid. This endorsement marks a significant shift in the city’s political landscape, as Lehman, a longtime Democrat, follows in the footsteps of Postmaster General James A. Farley and United States Senators Robert F. Wagner and Royal S. Copeland in backing Mahoney over incumbent Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia.

La Guardia, a stalwart New Deal supporter, had been expected to cruise to victory against Mahoney, but Lehman’s endorsement has injected a new level of uncertainty into the campaign. The governor’s praise for Mahoney, calling him ‘a man who by character, ability, and training is equipped in every way to administer the affairs of the city of New York,’ has dealt a significant blow to La Guardia’s chances of reelection.

La Guardia, an avowed New Deal enthusiast, has been counting on the support of the Fusion Republican, American Labor, and other minority parties to secure his victory. However, with Lehman’s endorsement, it’s clear that Mahoney is gaining momentum in the polls.

Senator Wagner, a lifelong friend of Mahoney, will make his first speech in support of the candidate, further solidifying the Tammany machine’s grip on the city’s politics. Frank J. Taylor and Max J. Schneider, Mahoney’s running mates for controller and president of the council, respectively, will also benefit from Lehman’s endorsement.

The implications of Lehman’s endorsement are far-reaching, with some predicting that it could pave the way for a Tammany-backed takeover of City Hall. La Guardia’s supporters are left reeling, wondering how they can now take on the combined might of the Tammany machine and the governor’s office.

As the city teeters on the brink of a major shift in power, one thing is clear: the mayor’s reelection bid has just become a whole lot tougher.