The First U.S. Presidential Candidate to Be Assassinated
Most people know that several U.S. presidents have been assassinated, but few realize that the first presidential candidate to be killed was not Lincoln, not Garfield, and not Kennedy.
It was Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who was running for President of the United States in 1844.
His campaign, his beliefs, and the intense opposition surrounding him led to one of the most dramatic and tragic moments in American religious and political history.
A Presidential Campaign Unlike Any Other
In 1844, Joseph Smith announced his candidacy for President as an independent.
His platform was bold for his time and addressed issues many leaders avoided.
He proposed:
• The abolition of slavery through compensated emancipation
• Reducing the size and cost of the federal government
• Reforming the prison system
• Protecting religious freedom nationwide
• Expanding federal power to defend minorities from mob violence
These ideas gained support from some, but they also increased fear and hostility toward him, especially among those who already opposed the growing influence of the Latter-day Saints.
Rising Tension in Illinois
At the time, Joseph Smith was living in Nauvoo, Illinois, where he served as mayor and leader of a rapidly growing community.
Conflict escalated when a dissenting newspaper called the Nauvoo Expositorpublished accusations against Smith and church leaders.
As mayor, Smith ordered the printing press destroyed, declaring it a public nuisance.
This decision triggered legal charges against him and intensified anger among his opponents.
He was arrested and taken to Carthage, Illinois, to await trial.
The Assassination at Carthage Jail
On June 27, 1844, while being held in jail in Carthage, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were attacked by an armed mob.
The mob stormed the jail and opened fire.
Both brothers were killed.
Joseph Smith was only 38 years old and was in the middle of a presidential campaign at the time of his death.
Because of this, he is widely recognized as the first U.S. presidential candidate to be assassinated.
More Than Politics — A Story of Faith, Conflict, and Freedom
Joseph Smith’s death was not only a political event but also a religious turning point.
His campaign highlighted issues that are still discussed today:
• Religious freedom
• Government power
• Protection of minorities
• The role of faith in public life
For members of the Latter-day Saint faith, his death is remembered as martyrdom.
For historians, it remains one of the most unusual moments in American political history.
A prophet, a mayor, a presidential candidate — killed before the election even began.
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