 However Smith for his part did make dramatic gains for the Democratic Party in New Jersey, laying the groundwork for ultimately turning the state Democratic just four years later in 1932.In 1920, Republican Warren G. Harding had carried the state over Democrat James M. Cox by a massive 68-28 margin.In 1924, southern Democrat John W. Davis had received only 27% of the vote in the state to Republican Calvin Coolidge's 62%.