Johnson's Republican opponent in the 1964 presidential election, Barry Goldwater, who knew Jenkins from the Senate and served as commanding officer of his Air Force Reserve unit, chose not to make the incident a campaign issue.
Johnson's Republican opponent in the 1964 presidential election chose not to make the incident a campaign issue. Johnson's Republican opponent in the 1964 presidential election was Barry Goldwater. Barry Goldwater knew Jenkins from the Senate. Barry Goldwater served as commanding officer of his Air Force Reserve unit.