 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Hyman A. Pressman | |
|---|---|
| Comptroller of Baltimore | |
| In office 1963–1991 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 23, 1914 |
| Died | March 15, 1996 (aged 81) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Independent Republican |
| Profession | Politician |
Hyman A. Pressman (April 23, 1914 – March 15, 1996) served as the Comptroller of Baltimore City, Maryland, from 1963 to 1991. He ran for Governor of Maryland in 1966 as an Independent after the Democratic Party nominated segregationist George P. Mahoney as its candidate.
Pressman's gubernatorial candidacy may have been a spoiler for Mahoney. Had the 10% of the vote received by Pressman instead gone to Mahoney, Spiro Agnew would have lost the 1966 gubernatorial election by a narrow margin. Had Agnew not been elected governor of Maryland in 1966, it is unlikely that he would have been chosen as Richard Nixon's vice-presidential running mate in 1968. [citation needed] Mahoney's support of segregation alienated many liberal Democrats, prompting them to split their tickets by supporting him or the pro-civil rights Agnew.
Pressman lost his first bid for election in the 1963 Baltimore Democratic Primary election for City Comptroller to Henry R. Hergenroeder, Sr. by just over 1,200 votes (less than 1%). Following the election, the Republican Party candidate withdrew, and Pressman accepted the Republican nomination as their candidate for City Comptroller. He won the general election running on a 'ticket' with former Baltimore Mayor and Maryland Governor Republican Theodore Roosevelt McKeldin, elected Mayor the same year. Pressman returned to the Democratic Party following his victory and won six additional terms as Baltimore City Comptroller.