When the convention opened , Governor Dewey was the front-runner for the nomination . 1940 presidential nominee , Wendell Willkie again vied for the nomination , but when he lost the Wisconsin primary , the lack of support from the Republican Party became evident . ( Before the election , Willkie would die of a heart attack . ) Dewey was nominated on the first ballot . He became the second Republican candidate to accept his party 's nomination in-person at the convention . During the convention , Chicago 's Billy Goat Tavern gained notoriety for posting a notice saying " No Republicans Allowed " . This caused Republican conventioneers to pack the place , demanding to be served , and led to increased publicity for the tavern
1940 presidential nominee
1940 Republican National Convention
1944 Republican National Convention