In 1954 , Harriman defeated Republican Senator Irving Ives to become the Governor of New York . He served a single term before his defeat by Nelson Rockefeller in the 1958 election . Harriman unsuccessfully sought the presidential nomination at the 1952 Democratic National Convention and the 1956 Democratic National Convention . Though Harriman had Truman 's backing at the 1956 convention , the Democrats nominated Adlai Stevenson II in both elections . After his gubernatorial defeat , Harriman became a widely respected foreign policy elder within the Democratic Party . He helped negotiate the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty during President John F. Kennedy 's administration and was deeply involved in the Vietnam War during the Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson administrations . After Johnson left office in 1969 , Harriman affiliated with various organizations , including the Club of Rome and the Council on Foreign Relations
1952 Democratic National Convention
1952 Democratic National Convention
W. Averell Harriman