Changes

In 1924, Howard ousted Michael Mulvihill for a position on the [[Republican National Committee]].<ref name=blackpastbio/> Being the first black member among the GOP leadership role in twenty-five years, he quickly established himself as a figure representing the party's concern for [[civil rights]].<ref name=blackpastbio/> Although his political impact was heavily stifled due to racist Democrat laws violating the voting rights of Mississippi blacks, his accomodationist stances proved to be effective in ensuring a persistent maintaining of his position.<ref name=blackpastbio/>

In 1924, Howard ousted Michael Mulvihill for a position on the [[Republican National Committee]].<ref name=blackpastbio/> Being the first black member among the GOP leadership role in twenty-five years, he quickly established himself as a figure representing the party's concern for [[civil rights]].<ref name=blackpastbio/> Although his political impact was heavily stifled due to racist Democrat laws violating the voting rights of Mississippi blacks, his accomodationist stances proved to be effective in ensuring a persistent maintaining of his position.<ref name=blackpastbio/>

Considered brilliant and intelligent by party leaders, Howard was viewed as a favorite of the committee.<ref name=jstor/> He also became known for his battles with the "lily-white" wing of the Mississippi GOP.<ref name=jstor/>

Considered highly brilliant and intelligent by party leaders, Howard was viewed as a favorite of the committee.<ref name=jstor/> He also became known for his battles with the "lily-white" wing of the Mississippi GOP.<ref name=jstor/>

During the [[United States presidential election, 1928|1928 presidential election]], Howard was selected by Republicans in [[Kansas City]] to lead the Mississippi GOP delegates.<ref>June 7, 1928. [https://www.nytimes.com/1928/06/07/archives/no-doublecrossing.html NO DOUBLE-CROSSING.]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 14, 2021.</ref> He suggested the nomination of [[conservative]] U.S. representative [[Hamilton Fish, III]] for vice president, stating that the GOP ticket would thus maintain a stronghold among the black vote in competing against [[Democrat]] nominee [[Al Smith]].<ref>May 23, 1928. [https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/23/archives/urges-hamilton-fish-for-vice-president-mississippi-committeeman.html URGES HAMILTON FISH FOR VICE PRESIDENT; Mississippi Committeeman Says He Would Take Negro Vote From Gov. Smith.]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 14, 2021.</ref> The vice presidential nomination ultimately went to [[Charles Curtis]], and the [[Herbert Hoover|Hoover]]/Curtis ticket won the general election in a landslide.

During the [[United States presidential election, 1928|1928 presidential election]], Howard was selected by Republicans in [[Kansas City]] to lead the Mississippi GOP delegates.<ref>June 7, 1928. [https://www.nytimes.com/1928/06/07/archives/no-doublecrossing.html NO DOUBLE-CROSSING.]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 14, 2021.</ref> He suggested the nomination of [[conservative]] U.S. representative [[Hamilton Fish, III]] for vice president, stating that the GOP ticket would thus maintain a stronghold among the black vote in competing against [[Democrat]] nominee [[Al Smith]].<ref>May 23, 1928. [https://www.nytimes.com/1928/05/23/archives/urges-hamilton-fish-for-vice-president-mississippi-committeeman.html URGES HAMILTON FISH FOR VICE PRESIDENT; Mississippi Committeeman Says He Would Take Negro Vote From Gov. Smith.]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 14, 2021.</ref> The vice presidential nomination ultimately went to [[Charles Curtis]], and the [[Herbert Hoover|Hoover]]/Curtis ticket won the general election in a landslide.