Political Beginnings

in First Lady by Jimmy Byron — April 2, 2010 at 10:00 pm | 5 comments

In February 1946, Pat gave birth to daughter Patricia, known as Tricia. In the following weeks she supported her husband’s congressional campaign, setting up the office headquarters and passing out campaign literature at events. Not yet comfortable with public speaking, she thanked volunteers and campaign workers with personal greetings instead. When the election returns were announced, Richard Nixon recalled that “Pat and I were happier on November 6, 1946 then we were ever to be again in my political career.”

The Nixon family moved to Washington, D.C. where Congressman Nixon took his seat in House of Representatives. He was easily reelected in 1948; that same year, in July, Pat gave birth to a second daughter, Julie. She aided her husband yet again in his 1950 campaign for a U.S. Senate seat, establishing what would become known as the “Pat and Dick Team.”

After having served a mere two years in his capacity as Senator from California, Richard Nixon was nominated for Vice President of the United States on the Republican ticket with Dwight D. Eisenhower. After the nomination, reports surfaced that Nixon allegedly had used campaign funds illegally. Mrs. Nixon encouraged him to appear on television to defend himself against the charges. Nixon later credited Pat with giving him the confidence to deliver the so-called “Checker’s Speech” and the charges were soon cleared.

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