Based on this quote by Stassen on his Wikipedia page: 'At the
convention in
Philadelphia,
Osro Cobb, the then Republican state chairman in
Arkansas, made a seconding speech for Stassen, having been motivated by Stassen's promise if nominated to campaign actively in the
South. Cobb described the South as "the last frontier to which we can turn for substantial gains for our party – gains that can be held in the years to come. There is a definite affinity between the southern farmer and the grassroots Midwestern Republicans. ...Our party simply cannot indulge the luxury of a
Solid South, handed on a silver platter to the opposition every four years...."'
Yeah I know it's a stretch, but eh. Since it's a four-way race/vote-splitting plus Stassen campaigning there, he is able to
just take it (with the help of Osro Cobb of course).