John Nance Garner

John Nance Garner was born in Red River County, Texas, on 22nd November, 1868. After studying law he was admitted to the bar in 1890 and became a lawyer in Texas.

A member of the Democratic Party Garner served as a judge in Uvalde County (1893-1896) and in the Texas house of representatives (1898-1902).

Garner was elected to Congress in 1903. He served as minority floor leader in the 71st Congress and as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 72nd Congress.

In 1932 Franklin D. Roosevelt selected Garner as his running mate and on 8th November was elected as Vice President of the United States.

Roosevelt upset a lot of people, including Garner, when in 1940 he announced that he intended to stand for a third term. Roosevelt therefore became the first person to break the unwritten rule that presidents do not stand for more than two-terms in succession. Garner resigned and Henry Wallace became his new running mate.

John Nance Garner retired to Uvalde County and died there on 7th November, 1967.