Bell, Wendell Willkie, 1940

This small bell encouraged the holder to “Ring for Willkie and McNary,” the 1940 Republican national ticket. Formerly a registered Democrat, Wendell Willkie was the first major party candidate whose professional credentials were primarily as a corporate executive. He chose Senator Charles McNary of Oregon as his running mate. They were defeated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was re-elected to a historic third term, and his new vice-presidential candidate Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace. (Wallace replaced John Nance Garner who had served as vice president during FDR’s first two terms.)