Ball was never considered an especially effective U.S. Senator in terms of gaining patronage for Delaware . He became a rival of T. Coleman du Pont , the former President of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and the effective leader of the Republican Party in Delaware . Du Pont had hoped to be the Republican candidate for U.S. President in 1920 , but his efforts began to collapse when Ball deserted him after the first ballot at the 1920 Republican National Convention . Then , in 1922 , Ball failed to support du Pont as he sought a full term in the U.S. Senate himself . By 1924 du Pont thought he had a score to settle and defeated Ball for their party ’s nomination for a full term in 1924
1920 Republican National Convention
1920 Republican National Convention
L. Heisler Ball