Presidential election
1932 presidential election
Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover, winning 472 of 531 electoral votes and 57.4% of the popular vote.
Results
52.4%
Turnout rate
39.7M
Total votes cast
75.8M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 47 | DemocraticFDR | +16.4% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 36 | DemocraticFDR | +6.9% |
| Illinois(IL) | 29 | DemocraticFDR | +12.5% |
| Ohio(OH) | 26 | DemocraticFDR | +12.7% |
| Texas(TX) | 23 | DemocraticFDR | +70.2% |
Candidates
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
John Nance Garner
Home state
New York
Age at election
50
Previous position
Governor of New York
Campaign slogan
"Happy Days Are Here Again"
Popular vote
22.8M
(57.4%)
Electoral votes
472
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
Charles Curtis
Home state
California
Age at election
58
Previous position
31st President of the United States (Incumbent)
Campaign slogan
"Prosperity Is Just Around the Corner"
Popular vote
15.8M
(39.7%)
Electoral votes
59
Urban Voters
FDR
67%
Rural Voters
FDR
52%
Working Class
FDR
70%
Black Voters
Hoover
66%
Key events
Bonus Army Dispersed
Army used force against WWI veterans seeking bonus payment
New Deal Speech
FDR promised 'a new deal for the American people'
Bank Closures Accelerate
Over 5,000 banks failed during the Depression
Issues & context
Worst economic crisis in American history. One in four workers unemployed. Hoover blamed for Depression despite not causing it. Realignment election that would define politics for 40 years.
25% unemployment. GDP fell 27% from 1929. Banks failing weekly. Hoovervilles in every city. Dust Bowl beginning. Complete economic collapse.
Hoover was blamed for Depression though it started under his predecessor's policies. His response was seen as inadequate. FDR offered hope and action.
Created New Deal Coalition that dominated politics until 1968. FDR would win 4 terms. Massive expansion of federal government. Modern Democratic Party born. Black voters would shift to Democrats over next decade.
Did you know?
- 1.Hoover won only 6 states - worst showing by incumbent until
- 2.FDR's margin (17.7%) was largest since 1920
- 3.This was last election where Black voters majority Republican
- 4.FDR never mentioned he had polio during campaign
- 5.21st Amendment repealing Prohibition passed after FDR's election