JACKSON COUNTY

In 1922 Harry Truman first sought elected office as a Jackson County judge. Next to his name on the ballot appeared this statement. The “Tom and Joe” referred to were two Catholic political bosses in Missouri. People in Missouri were very much opposed to Catholics being in an elected office. The statement was false and was arranged by the Ku Klux Klan, who opposed Truman for his non-racist stance towards Blacks.

In 1922 Harry Truman first sought elected office as a Jackson County judge. Next to his name on the ballot appeared this statement. The “Tom and Joe” referred to were two Catholic political bosses in Missouri. People in Missouri were very much opposed to Catholics being in an elected office. The statement was false and was arranged by the Ku Klux Klan, who opposed Truman for his non-racist stance towards Blacks.