Presidential election
1888 presidential election
Benjamin Harrison defeated Grover Cleveland, winning 233 of 401 electoral votes and 47.8% of the popular vote.
Results
79.3%
Turnout rate
11.0M
Total votes cast
11.2M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 36 | RepublicanHarrison | +1.1% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 30 | RepublicanHarrison | +5.3% |
| Indiana(IN) | 15 | RepublicanHarrison | +2.3% |
| Ohio(OH) | 23 | RepublicanHarrison | +0.6% |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 9 | DemocraticCleveland | +0.7% |
Candidates
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Levi P. Morton
Home state
Indiana
Age at election
55
Previous position
U.S. Senator from Indiana
Popular vote
5.4M
(47.8%)
Electoral votes
233
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
Allen G. Thurman
Home state
New York
Age at election
51
Previous position
22nd President of the United States (Incumbent)
Popular vote
5.5M
(48.6%)
Electoral votes
168
Northern States
Harrison
50%
Southern States
Cleveland
64%
Key events
Murchison Letter
British minister's letter backfired on Cleveland
'Blocks of Five' Scandal
Vote-buying allegations in Indiana
Issues & context
Cleveland won popular vote but lost Electoral College. Tariff was central issue - Cleveland wanted reduction, Republicans wanted protection. Campaign focused on policy more than character.
Economic prosperity. Treasury surplus was problem - debate over how to spend it. Tariff revenue exceeded needs. Industrial growth strong.
Cleveland popular but tariff position cost him industrial states. Harrison ran 'front porch' campaign. Vote-buying allegations in Indiana hurt Republicans' reputation.
Third election where popular vote loser won. Set stage for 1892 rematch. McKinley Tariff followed and hurt Republicans. Harrison administration undid some Cleveland reforms.
Did you know?
- 1.Third time popular vote loser won presidency
- 2.Cleveland won by 90,000 popular votes
- 3.Harrison was grandson of President William Henry Harrison
- 4.Cleveland would win rematch in 1892
- 5.Only president to serve non-consecutive terms until Trump