While serving as the ambassador to Britain from 1918 to 1921 , Davis was a dark horse candidate for the 1920 Democratic presidential nomination . After he left office , Davis helped establish the Council on Foreign Relations and advocated for the repeal of Prohibition . The 1924 Democratic National Convention nominated Davis for president after 103 ballots . His nomination made him the second nominee ( With Wilson having been nominated in 1912 ) from a former slave state , Virginia since the Civil War , and Davis remains the only major party presidential candidate from West Virginia . Running on a ticket with Charles W. Bryan , Davis lost in a landslide to Coolidge
1924 Democratic National Convention
1924 Democratic National Convention
John W. Davis