Campaign Poster

A gubernatorial campaign poster for John Stewart Battle emphasizes his experience and common sense approach to governing. Battle had served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1930–1934) and the Senate of Virginia (1934–1950), before running for governor. A loyal Democrat in line with the Byrd Organization, the state machine run by U.S. senator Harry F. Byrd Sr., Battle overcame a spirited challenge by three fellow Democrats to win the 1949 gubernatorial primary. He won the general election and served as governor of Virginia from 1950 until 1954, during which time his greatest achievement was a massive school construction program to accommodate the first wave of the baby boom.