Strange Candidate #5: Henry Krajewski

Henry Krajewski, New Jersey pig farmer, was the self-proclaimed candidate of the Poor Man's Party. He ran three times for president, in 1952, 1956 and 1960. Plus, he ran for Governor and Senator. His most successful campaign was his 1954 run for Senator, in which he got 23,000 votes. He didn't win, but he was credited with being a spoiler, his votes enabling Republican candidate Clifford Case to win a close election over Democrat Charles Howell.

Krajewski campaigned with a pig under his arm. The pig, he said, "squeals like the people for a fair deal." His slogan was "No piggy deals in Washington." He also promised "more beer parties for the poor man" as well as "free milk for all school children with the cost paid by the Government."

He chose the pig as his symbol because he felt it symbolized peace and prosperity. The reasoning behind this was a) it was a gentle animal; and b) there was no waste on it (all the parts are eaten).

He raised funds for his campaign through the sale of a polka record: "Hey, Krajewski!"

He favored a two-president system because "if you had a Democrat and a Republican in the White House at the same time, they'd be so busy watching each other that there would be no danger of a dictatorship." He was also a supporter of Joseph McCarthy and his campaign to root out suspected communists.

He died in 1966 of a heart attack.

Strange Candidate #4: Jonathan Maxwell
Strange Candidate #3: George Francis Train
Strange Candidate #2: Homer Tomlinson
Strange Candidate #1: Live-Forever Jones

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Tue Oct 21, 2008
Category: Strange Candidates

Comments

He had the rights on the pig. Everything's useful except the squeal. Dual presidents though?? If it means we don't have to put up with 2 years of politicking for the position I'm all for it!

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/21/08 at 10:48 AM

Probably died of a heart attack after eating all the parts on his pig.

Posted by KW in Dallas, TX on 10/21/08 at 10:52 AM

I'll vote for anyone who campaigns on the platform of more beer!!

Posted by BikerPuppy on 10/21/08 at 11:18 AM

Amen Bikerpuppy! Amen.

Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/21/08 at 11:21 AM

Yeah, kay, he had me up until the McCarthy part.

A two-president system would not only be no dictatorship, there would also be no action whatsoever, as they'd constantly veto everything their partner puts forward.

Posted by kingmonkey in Athens, Ontario on 10/21/08 at 11:50 AM

King Monkey, and what's your point?

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/21/08 at 12:18 PM

Yeah, I guess you're right, Expat. The only difference is you'd have two different State of the Union addresses interrupting your television, or one double-length address.

Posted by kingmonkey in Athens, Ontario on 10/21/08 at 02:39 PM

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