David’s comment: Perhaps the most left-wing member of Congress in American history, Marcantonio was first elected to Congress as a Republican if you can believe it. After one term with the GOP, he was elected several more times by New Yorkers from the American Labor Party. He was dedicated public servant who had many admirable qualities. He was also, basically, a communist in all but name.
Representative | American Labor |
MARCANTONIO, VITO ANTHONY, A Representative from New York; born in New York City December 10, 1902; attended the grade and high schools; was graduated from the law department of New York University at New York City in 1925; was admitted to the bar in June 1926 and commenced practice in New York City; served as assistant United States district attorney in 1930 and 1931; elected as a Republican to the Seventy-fourth Congress (January 3, 1935-January 3, 1937); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1936 to the Seventy-fifth Congress; resumed the practice of law; elected as an American Laborite to the Seventy-sixth and to the five succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1939-January 3, 1951); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1950 to the Eighty-second Congress; unsuccessful American-Labor Party candidate for mayor of New York City in 1949; practiced law in Washington, D.C., and later in New York City, until his death in New York City August 9, 1954; interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York City (the Bronx), N.Y.
- Vito Marcantonio on Wikipedia
- Vito Marcantonio on OurCampaigns.com