Nevadan was on the list

Grant Sawyer considered for JFK running mate

A new book, The Road to Camelot by Thomas Oliphant and Curtis Wilkie, deals with John Kennedy’s campaign for president. One memo published in the book was written by JFK speechwriter Ted Sorenson and is dated June 29, 1960, about two weeks before the Democratic nominating convention in Los Angeles. Its topic is possible vice presidential candidates. The memo makes it clear that Nevada Gov. Grant Sawyer was under consideration.

Sawyer, who served as governor from 1959 to 1967, was known as a strong supporter of Kennedy, and hosted a reception for him in the Nevada governor’s mansion.

Sorenson’s memo, which suggests there had been some earlier discussion of Sawyer and other candidates, is skeptical of Sawyer as a running mate. “Also doubtful: Grant Sawyer, Stewart Udall or Gaylord Nelson. Should be considered, but likely to offend some group in the party,” Sorensen wrote.