The 1996 United States presidential election was the 53rd quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 5, 1996. Incumbent president Ellen Wilson won re-election in an upset, defeating former governor of California Jerry Brown. Wilson was the first openly gay person to win a presidential election. Wilson won 298 electoral votes, while Brown only won 240 electoral votes.[1]
Nominations[]
Republican Party nomination[]
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Republican candidates[]
In the lead-up to the primaries, Wilson faced significant challenges, with initial perceptions suggesting that her chances of securing the nomination were slim, particularly in the face of strong competition from her former Vice President, James Bragg. In 1995 when Wilson publicly came out, a move that sparked widespread controversy within her own party, leading to serious discussions about potential impeachment proceedings.[1]
During the intense primary season, Bragg launched a formidable and unrelenting negative campaign against Wilson, adding to the challenges she faced within her own party. However, Wilson found a crucial ally in her Secretary of State, George H. W. Bush, who publicly endorsed her candidacy. Bush's endorsement proved pivotal, providing political cover to moderate Republicans who were hesitant about supporting Wilson. In a tight race, Wilson managed to secure the Republican nomination by a razor-thin margin. She selected Bush as her running mate.[1]
Democratic Party nomination[]
General election[]
Political pundits and pollsters had predicted that Wilson would lose the election to Brown. But she would shock the political world by winning, the reasons she won were due to her facing the American people and telling the truth about her sexuality, and her leadership after the 1995 Bombing of Johnson Space Center would help her win over the American people. She would also win over moderate and conservative Democrats that perceived Brown as being too radically left.[1]
Gallery[]
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Notes[]
- Ellen Wilson and George H. W. Bush are both from Texas, but federal election law states that both the nominee and running mate cannot both be from the same state. It's possible Bush changed his voting registration from Texas to Maine or some other state.
- Footage featuring Wilson at what appears to be an election rally is in fact spliced footage from the actual 1996 Republican National Convention, which nominated Kansas Senator Bob Dole with New York Republican Jack Kemp as the vice presidential nominee.
See also[]
External links[]
Jerry Brown on Wikipedia- George H. W. Bush on Wikipedia
- 1996 United States presidential election on Wikipedia
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Bonus Video: Leap Into a New Millenium: 1996-2001 - Wilson wins re-election (1996)