Fighting Loneliness and Polarization with Chili

One of the more compelling political races in American history was the 1880 campaign by Ohio congressman James A. Garfield. After being nominated as the Republican candidate for that year’s election, the eventual 20th president of the United States returned home to his Mentor, Ohio farm to rest for his campaign. When he arrived at his one-hundred-and-fifty-acre property, he was met by a large number of well-wishers camped out on his front lawn. This was probably not a surprise to Garfield. He was a man that had developed deep roots in Ohio through his community involvement as a school teacher and administrator, as well as a soldier and politician. By the time Garfield returned home as a forty-nine-year-old Presidential nominee, a lifetime spent rooted in northern Ohio bore the fruit of a warm welcome home.

The story of Garfield’s campaign continued with the future president engaging supporters from his lawn. For much of the campaign, Garfield gave speeches, hosted events, and welcomed supporters from his large front porch. An estimated seventeen thousand citizens traveled to Ohio to hear from the presidential nominee in makeshift rallies set up on his property. In an era when presidential security was still very much in its infancy (Garfield would be assassinated in 1881 shortly after his presidency began), the front porch served as the natural place to connect with other citizens.

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