The Jockey Club ran a candidate in both parties ' primary elections . In the Democratic primary Beckham defeated the Club 's relatively obscure candidate , Robert T. Crowe . Flem D. Sampson , the Club 's nominee in the Republican primary , won his party 's nomination . In the general election Beckham could not secure no support of Democratic governor William J. Fields , who had been elected with the help of the Jockey Club . Despite the Democrats winning every other contest on the ballot , including the race for lieutenant governor , Beckham lost to Sampson by more than 32 @,@ 000 votes . It was estimated that the Club spent over $ 500 @,@ 000 to defeat him .