California, here we come! During a Kefauver campaign stop in San Rafael in April 1956, campaign vice chair Clara Shirpser waves to the crowd. Shirpser was a key strategist for Kefauver's campaign that year, overseeing women's activities in the western states. #skystorians #history #polisky

A Kefauver family photo! Nancy's got her arm around Linda, their oldest daughter. That's Diane and David cleverly standing on the gate for a little height boost. Estes is holding youngest daughter Gail in his arms. #skystorians #history #polisky #family

For two decades, the American Heritage Foundation preached the importance of community and civic engagement. Their message was valuable, but it missed something important… something Kefauver understood. #skystorians #history #polisky estes-kefauver.com/2026/08/03/a...

A Complicated Heritage

For two decades, the American Heritage Foundation preached the importance of community and civic engagement. Their message was valuable, but it missed something important… something that Kefa…

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Welcome to New Mexico! During a campaign stop in Albuquerque in May 1952, Lieutenant Governor Tibo Chavez crowns Kefauver with a Native headdress. In his right hand, Kefauver holds up a tom-tom presented to him by his supporters. #skystorians #history #polisky

I love a parade! Kefauver's supporters demonstrate on the floor after their man is nominated at the 1952 Democratic convention. #skystorians #history #polisky

This political cartoon from the Milwaukee Journal shows what initially appeared to be the 1952 Democratic matchup: Estes Kefauver vs. Harry Truman. #skystorians #history #polisky

Kefauver takes a break from reading the local paper to speak to a reporter in Coos Bay, Oregon in 1956. Kefauver liked to discuss local issues in his campaign speeches, and checking local papers helped him get up to speed on what was happening in the community. #skystorians #history #polisky

Ever the gentleman, Kefauver mops the brow of Edna Jamison - the chair of his campaign's Women's Division - during a rally in Cleveland, Tennessee in June 1954. During that campaign, Kefauver routed Rep. Pat Sutton in the Democratic primary. #polisky #history #skystorians

Continuing my spotlight of my favorite posts from the past! In the 1950s, right-wing groups like the American Legion sought to root out Communism and world government everywhere they found it. Even in… the Girl Scout Handbook? #skystoirans #history #polisky estes-kefauver.com/2025/02/10/r...

Red and Green Don’t Mix: When the American Legion Declared War on the Girl Scouts

In the 1950s, right-wing groups like the American Legion were dedicated to rooting out Communism and world government everywhere they found. Even when they found it in… the Girl Scout Handboo…

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Making Papa proud! Cooke Kefauver looks on admiring as Estes charms a supporters' dinner at the Algonquin Hotel in April 1952. When Estes Kefauver got into politics, he was following in his father's footsteps; Cooke served five terms as mayor of Madisonville, TN. #polisky #skystorians #history

Here’s a pamphlet prepared by the DNC for the 1956 election, attacking the GOP for giving away public land and property to private businesses. (Good thing we don’t have to worry about that anymore…) #skystorians #history #polisky

This Reg Manning cartoon from February 1956 summarizes (one of) the Democrats' problems: wildly unpopular ex-President Harry Truman was still trying to maintain influence over the party and excite voters through fiery speeches. #skystorians #history #polisky

They’re for you, not the few! This 1956 bumper sticker let you display your support for the Stevenson-Kefauver ticket on your car. (The kerning and vertical alignment of the text suggest quality control issues that feel emblematic of the campaign, but never mind.) #polisky #history #skystorians

Already certified: Estes Kefauver for President estes-kefauver.com Bluesky: @kefauver4prez.bsky.social Instagram: @kefauver4prez Facebook: facebook.com/Kefauver4President #DoneByHumans #noai #ai #ailabel

Estes Kefauver for President

The voice for you, not for the few

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During his swing through New England in the 1952 primaries, Kefauver pays a visit to Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Edward J. Cronin. They're in Cronin's office, but the composition of the photo makes it look like Cronin is visiting Kefauver's office. #skystorians #history #polisky

Continuing my series of fun old posts! The 1952 Sugar Bowl cost Kefauver a treasured possession; it also helped change the landscape of college football forever. (These two facts are not related.) #skystorians #history #polisky estes-kefauver.com/2024/12/16/a...

A Friendly Bet, A Big Game, Lasting Effects: Kefauver and the 1952 Sugar Bowl

When two Senators made a friendly wager on the outcome of this game, they felt they had a lot at stake. As it turns out, the real stakes of the game were about the future of college football.

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Kefauver being cute with kids, Part 479! Here he's spending time with the Hoose siblings at a political rally in Cleveland in 1956. The Hooses lived in Wickliffe, which is a Cleveland suburb. #skystorians #history #polisky

Ding dong, Kefauver calling! The Democratic VP candidate, campaigning door-to-door, speaks with a Queens housewife in October 1956. Wonder why Kefauver's carrying a microphone? He was recording their conversation for use on a later radio broadcast. #skystorians #history #polisky

A message from the Warren County Young Democrats! This ad, riding in a pickup truck bed, urges a vote for Estes Kefauver for Congress. McMinnville, which is the county seat, was where Kefauver's vacation cabin was located. #skystorians #history #polisky

Howdy, pardner! Wanna play Cowboys and Indians? Kefauver is greeted by a sheriff's posse in Tucson, Arizona in July 1956.

This is the Albuquerque chapter of the Junior Kefauver for President Club, organized by the 8-year-old son of Robert Hoath LaFollette, who originated Kefauver's NM campaign. (R.H. LaFollette was first cousin once removed of Progressive icon "Fighting Bob" LaFollette.) #skystorians #history #polisky

Continuing my series of some of my favorite blog posts. When a Senator’s wife was photographed wearing a bathing suit at a fundraiser, constituents and columnists went crazy. But she wound up making a splash for more than her body. #skystorians #history #polisky estes-kefauver.com/2025/06/30/a...

Anatomy of a Controversy: The Great Swimsuit Scandal of 1958

When a Senator’s wife was photographed wearing a bathing suit at a fundraiser, constituents and columnists went crazy. But she wound up making a splash for much more than her body.

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Come fly with Keef! Kefauver poses with a group of stewardesses who spotted him at Boston's Logan Airport in February 1952, presumably heading back to DC after a campaign swing through New Hampshire. #skystorians #history #polisky

The perks of the campaign trail! Kefauver and Mike DiSalle chat up Miss Ohio, Roberta Palmer, during a campaign stop in Cleveland in September 1956. Kefauver had a well-known eye for the ladies, but DiSalle seems to be having a better time here. #skystorians #history #polisky

I don't know exactly what was going on in this picture from a Kefauver-for-President campaign dinner in DC in April 1956. But it looks like Kefauver is doing some sort of two-man comedy routine with one of the waiters, which is a delightful possibility. #skystorians #history #polisky

College kids for Kefauver! A group of students wearing "Estes for President" ribbons pin one on their candidate in 1952. #skystorians #history #polisky

Giddy up! Nancy Kefauver on horseback at the Kefauver summer home in McMinnville, TN. #skystorians #history #polisky

This month, I'm featuring some of my favorite posts from the blog! Here’s a story you won’t find in a history book: a tale of sectional rivalries, Presidential recreation, beauty queens, hungry reporters, and fish. So many fish. #skystorians #history #polisky estes-kefauver.com/2024/06/24/f...

Forgotten History: The Great Senate Fish Battle of 1957

Here’s a story you won’t find in your history book: a tale of sectional rivalries, Presidential recreation, beauty queens, hungry reporters, and fish. So, so many fish.

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Happy Fourth, my fellow Americans! Hope you're staying cool and having a patriotic day! #skystorians #history #polisky #fourthofjuly #independenceday

Wise words from a wise man, and advice we need now more than ever. Here's to 250 years, America!