Al Smith

Nor was Smith the first Catholic to govern New York. Smith entered business in New York City and became an increasingly vocal opponent of Roosevelt's New Deal. Smith's young assistant Robert Moses built the nation's first state park system and reformed the civil service later gaining appointment as Secretary of State of New York.

Smith attempted the 1932 nomination but was defeated by his former ally and successor as New York Governor Franklin D. presidential candidate in 1928. It also mobilized the anti-Catholic vote which was strongest in the South.