America and other anti-Communist unions from the Labor party because of its support of Mr. Wallace's candidacy for President, which has left the Communists and other left-wing elements in complete control of that party's organization. Isacson beat Propper 22,697 votes or 55.8% to 12,598 votes or 31%, with Dean Alfange of the newly formed Liberal Party at 3,840 votes and Republican Joseph A. De Nigris with 1,482. New York CIO Council secretary Saul Mills said shortly before the election: This is the first test of labor's independent political strength in the crucial 1948 elections. We are confident we can prove that strength and give the '48 campaign a proper sendoff with the election of Leo Isacson. "Wallace" victory The Washington Post declared "Henry A. Wallace yesterday jolted Democratic hopes of holding New York in November" with the election of the ALP's Isacson and noted that it was "Wallace's first test at the polls since he broke with the Democratic Administration to form a third party and make his own bid for the Presidency". The New York Times stated that the election of the ALP's Isacson over the Democratic candidate Propper would have many effects, including that: Wallace, as a third-party presidential candidate, would poll a much larger vote than expected, i.e., that Truman had little chance of winning New York State in the 1948 general elections Wallace had a better chance in other states, as did other third-party candidates for Congressional and local offices New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey might not clinch the Republican nomination but rather U.S. Senator Robert A. Taft Both the Democratic National Committee and the Bronx Democratic organization had suffered a major setback The New York State Assembly would ask Mayor O'Dwyer to hold off on a rise in fare for mass transportation The next day, Wallace announced that his Progressive Party had won a place in the California primaries. Two days later, The Washington Post was still assessing the implications of Bronx congressional election: The outcome of Tuesday's special election in New York's Twenty-fourth Congressional District confirms what most political commentators have for some time surmised that Henry Wallace, if he wishes to do so, can deprive the Democratic candidate of New York State's 47 electoral votes next November. Thus, as a political portent, the election possesses great significance which will not be lost upon the kingmakers in either of the major parties. The