Presidential election
1884 presidential election
Grover Cleveland defeated James Blaine, winning 219 of 401 electoral votes and 48.9% of the popular vote.
Results
77.5%
Turnout rate
9.8M
Total votes cast
10.0M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 36 | DemocraticCleveland | +0.1% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 30 | RepublicanBlaine | +4.3% |
| Ohio(OH) | 23 | RepublicanBlaine | +0.5% |
| Indiana(IN) | 15 | DemocraticCleveland | +0.3% |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 9 | DemocraticCleveland | +4.2% |
Candidates
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
Thomas A. Hendricks
Home state
New York
Age at election
47
Previous position
Governor of New York
Popular vote
4.9M
(48.9%)
Electoral votes
219
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
John A. Logan
Home state
Maine
Age at election
54
Previous position
Secretary of State, U.S. Senator
Popular vote
4.9M
(48.3%)
Electoral votes
182
Northern States
Blaine
49%
Southern States
Cleveland
63%
Key events
'Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion'
Blaine supporter's anti-Catholic remark cost votes in New York
Mugwumps Defect
Reform Republicans bolted to support Cleveland
Issues & context
First Democratic president since Buchanan (1856). Campaign focused on character - Blaine's corruption vs Cleveland's illegitimate child. 'Mugwump' Republicans defected. Decided by 1,047 votes in New York.
Stable growth. Tariff debate intensifying. Industrial expansion continuing. Labor movement growing. Concentration of wealth becoming issue.
Arthur (Republican) not renominated. Blaine was powerful but controversial figure. Cleveland's reform record attractive to independents.
First Democrat elected president since Civil War. Proved Democratic Party nationally viable again. Cleveland's independence attracted reform support. Set stage for his second non-consecutive term.
Did you know?
- 1.First Democrat elected since 1856
- 2.Famous chant: 'Ma, Ma, where's my Pa? Gone to the White House, ha ha ha!'
- 3.Decided by 1,047 votes in New York
- 4.'Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion' quote may have swung election
- 5.Mugwumps coined - Republicans who defected