On December 29, 1947, former vice president Henry A. Wallace announced that he would enter the coming presidential race as an independent—the culmination of a series of events that began when Wallace was denied re-nomination in 1944. After that defeat, FDR had appointed him secretary of commerce as a consolation, and after Roosevelt's death many liberals—but not all—considered him the leader of the New Deal legacy. Over the next three years, Wallace became increasingly critical of the foreign policy of Roosevelt's successor Harry Truman, leading to Wallace's eventual dismissal from the cabinet. Many then encouraged him to challenge Truman in the Democratic primaries; others suggested that he take advantage of the independent route. Among them, two groups, both nationally and in Utah, played a central role promoting Wallace's independent candidacy—the Progressive Citizens of America (PCA) and the International Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers Union (IMMSWU).1 PCA was organized in...

You do not currently have access to this content.