James Aloysius "Jim" Farley (May 30, 1888 – June 9, 1976) was one of the first
Irish Catholic politicians in American history to achieve success on a national level, serving as Chairman of the
New York State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the
Democratic National Committee and as
Postmaster General simultaneously under the first two administrations of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt. A business executive and dignitary, and a
Knight of Malta, Farley was commonly referred to as a political
kingmaker, and was responsible for
Franklin D. Roosevelt's rise to the presidency. Farley was the campaign manager for New York State politician
Alfred E. Smith's 1922 gubernatorial campaign and Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1928 and 1930 gubernatorial campaigns, as well as FDR's Presidential campaigns of 1932 and 1936. Farley predicted large landslides in both, and revolutionized the use of polling, and polling data. He was responsible for pulling together the
New Deal Coalition of Catholics, labor unions, African Americans, and farmers for FDR. Farley, and the administration's patronage machine he presided over, helped to fuel the social and infrastructure programs of the New Deal. He handled most mid-level and lower-level appointments In consultation with state and local Democratic organizations.