Election of 1968

In 1968, the nominations were as historically significant as the election itself.  Richard Nixon was against an up and coming politician, Ronald Reagan, in his fight for the Republican nomination.  On the Democratic side, President Johnson withdrew after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary, and Robert Kennedy was assassinated on the night he won the California primary.  And the Democratic convention in Chicago ended in riots.

In the end, Republican Richard Nixon faced Democrat Hubert Humphrey.  Nixon started with a large lead, thanks to the public’s anger over the Vietnam War.  However, by election day it was a close race.  Nixon won the race, becoming our 37th president.


Campaign Poster

Nixon’s the One! poster, 1968 (Library of Congress)

election of 1968 map

National Atlas


© Periodic Presidents, PJ and Jamie Creek