<P> In 1888 Frederick Douglass was invited to speak at the Republican National Convention . Afterward during the roll call vote , he received one vote , so was nominally a candidate for the presidency . In those years , the candidates for the presidency and vice presidency were chosen by state representatives voting at the nominating convention . Many decisions were made by negotiations of state and party leaders `` behind closed doors . '' Douglass was not a serious candidate in contemporary terms . </P>
<P> In 1888 Frederick Douglass was invited to speak at the Republican National Convention . Afterward during the roll call vote , he received one vote , so was nominally a candidate for the presidency . In those years , the candidates for the presidency and vice presidency were chosen by state representatives voting at the nominating convention . Many decisions were made by negotiations of state and party leaders `` behind closed doors . '' Douglass was not a serious candidate in contemporary terms . </P>
who was the first african american presidential candidate nominated
who was the first african american presidential candidate nominated
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass