 But, since Heyburn and Martin had deliberately acted independently of John J. McClure, chairman of the Delaware County Board of Republican Supervisors (known as the War Board), Chadwick would face an uphill fight in the primary election.Even though until then, it was the War Board's policy to endorse a sitting judge for reelection, McClure evidently would not even allow a small breath of political independence in the county.Congressman James Wolfenden, who was by then, considered to be one of the three most powerful leaders in the county party, with McClure and Haverford leader Tom Weidemann being the other two, debated whether to support the endorsed slate or not.