The key support of party bosses in New York City ultimately provoked the reform crusade by Eleanor Roosevelt which brought about the downfall of Tammany Hall.

Irving Ives announced on September 9 that he would accept the Republican nomination if offered and wage a forceful general election campaign.

Ives's announcement came only after a protracted effort to convince Governor Dewey to run for a fourth term and came with the endorsement of the Republican state committee.

[2] Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr., who had been elected to three terms in the United States House of Representatives, announced his campaign on June 11.

[3] On August 26, the Roosevelt and Harriman campaigns met in a display of unity at Saratoga Springs, as guests of Thomas J. Shanahan, president of Federation Bank and Trust Company.

[5] Notable Roosevelt staffers included former White House Press Secretary Roger Tubby and future U.S. Representative Jonathan B.

[8] Though Roosevelt made a show of unity and Harriman eventually carried the general election, the 1954 campaign was the beginning of the end of Tammany Hall.

At least partially in response to DeSapio's maneuvers against her son, Eleanor Roosevelt joined with Herbert H. Lehman and Thomas K. Finletter to establish the New York Committee for Democratic Voters, a reform organization dedicated to opposing Tammany.