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TLS signed “Ron,” one page, 7.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, May 8, 1980. Letter to Dr. Carmine Freda, in full: “I want to thank you personally for indicating at the meeting of the New York State delegates in Albany on April 24th, that you will support my candidacy. As I advised Chairman Kilbourn, I believe the Northeast is a natural constituency for my candidacy. I plan on waging an aggressive, full-scale campaign in that section of the country and, especially, in New York State. I am deeply grateful for your support, and look forward to seeing you in Detroit in July.” In very fine condition.
Reagan announced his third bid for the presidency on November 13, 1979, in a nationally televised address from New York City, launching the campaign that would ultimately carry him to the White House. By the spring of 1980, Reagan had emerged as the dominant Republican contender, winning a series of key primaries and caucuses across the country. This letter, written on May 8, 1980, came during the decisive final stretch of the Republican primary campaign, as Reagan worked to consolidate delegate support ahead of the Republican National Convention. Addressed to New York delegate Dr. Carmine Freda, Reagan thanks him for supporting "my candidacy" at a meeting of New York State delegates in Albany and outlines plans for an "aggressive, full-scale campaign" throughout the Northeast, particularly in New York.
Less than two weeks after this letter was written, Reagan secured enough delegates to clinch the Republican nomination following the Michigan and Oregon primaries on May 20, 1980. George H. W. Bush, his principal remaining rival, conceded the race on May 26 and urged Republicans to unite behind Reagan. The campaign culminated at the 1980 Republican National Convention, held in July at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, the gathering Reagan references in this letter when he tells Freda he looks forward to "seeing you in Detroit in July." There, Reagan overwhelmingly captured the nomination on the convention floor and accepted it, opening his speech with an address to the chairman, delegates, and fellow citizens before declaring: 'With a deep awareness of the responsibility conferred by your trust, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States.' He also announced George H. W. Bush as his chosen vice-presidential running mate, and thanked delegates for their enthusiastic response to that selection. The Reagan-Bush ticket would go on to defeat incumbent President Jimmy Carter in a landslide victory in November 1980.
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