Presidential election
1808 presidential election
James Madison defeated Charles C. Pinckney, winning 122 of 175 electoral votes.
Results
36.8%
Turnout rate
192.2K
Total votes cast
900.0K
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 20 | Democratic-RepublicanMadison | +47% |
| New York(NY) | 19 | Democratic-RepublicanMadison | +23% |
| Virginia(VA) | 24 | Democratic-RepublicanMadison | +100% |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 19 | FederalistPinckney | +4% |
| Connecticut(CT) | 9 | FederalistPinckney | +30% |
Candidates
Party
Democratic-RepublicanRunning mate
George Clinton
Home state
Virginia
Age at election
57
Previous position
Secretary of State
Campaign slogan
"Father of the Constitution"
Electoral votes
122
Party
FederalistRunning mate
Rufus King
Home state
South Carolina
Age at election
62
Previous position
Minister to France
Electoral votes
47
Party
Democratic-Republican (Faction)Running mate
James Madison
Home state
New York
Age at election
69
Previous position
Vice President of the United States
Electoral votes
6
Northern States
Madison
52%
Southern States
Madison
85%
Key events
Embargo Act
Jefferson's trade embargo devastated Northeast commerce
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
British attack on American ship inflamed tensions
Issues & context
Embargo Act deeply unpopular in commercial Northeast. Federalists revived somewhat on trade issue. Madison was Jefferson's chosen successor and 'Father of the Constitution.' First contested succession within Democratic-Republican Party.
Embargo Act devastated trade. New England ports suffering. Smuggling rampant. Economic depression in commercial regions. Agriculture less affected.
Jefferson (two-term Democrat-Republican) not running. Embargo hurt his popularity. Madison endorsed as successor but faced challenge from within own party (George Clinton).
Federalist mini-revival. Embargo repealed just before Madison took office. Set stage for War of 1812. Virginia Dynasty continued. Madison's diplomatic approach failed to prevent war.
Did you know?
- 1.First contested transfer of power between same-party candidates
- 2.George Clinton ran against his own running mate
- 3.Embargo caused more domestic damage than British
- 4.Madison was shortest president at 5'4"
- 5.Third consecutive Virginian elected president