Ch13 Dems for Ike Ep1 1952 Austin Begins Swing to the Right

Emmett Shelton (1905-2000) was a life-long Austin Democrat BUT in 1952 Emmett became an 'Eisenhower Democrat'.
          In the 1952, Central Texas had become so liberal that Dems would not allow the conservative Gov. Shivers to be the Travis County delegate in the State Democratic Convention.
          Emmett was active in the Texas Democratic Party and Gov. Alan Shivers asked for Emmett's help. Emmett became Chair of the County Democratic Convention, and the Dems walked out. Emmett finalized the list of delegates to the upcoming National Dem. Convention in Chicago. Gov. Shivers offered Emmett a delegate spot but Emmett declined telling Gov. Shivers he planned to support Eisenhower.
         Next Episode - In Ep2, Emmett takes us to the backrooms in the Texas Democratic Convention and Governors Conference. It was the Texas Swing to the Right for Gen. Eisenhower.
        

#texashistory
#austinhistory
#texasdemocrats
#eisenhower
#alanshivers

Music: "Vote'm Out" by Willie Nelson

For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake

Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.

For maps and other info check out our Facebook page: Our Westlake

Stories told by Emmett Shelton / compiled and submitted by Cynthia Shelton.