Tuesday, June 18, 1946

June 18, 1946 (Tuesday)

JFK won the Democratic primary for the 11th Congressional seat in Massachusetts with more than 40% of the ballots cast in a crowded primary. He out polled his nearest rival Mike Neville 19,426 votes to 10,875 votes.

During the day, volunteers at all of the local headquarters manned the telephones, directing taxis to addresses of people who had not yet voted

After it was clear he had won the primary, JFK (who had collapsed with exhaustion the day before) went to his main election headquarters where his supporters and campaign staff gave him a raucous welcome. JFK’s grandfather Honey Fitz reportedly danced a jig on a table top and sang the ballad “Sweet Adeline.”

JFK was teary when thanking the assembled crowd.

He then set off to visit each of his campaign offices.

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