Presidential election
1964 presidential election
Lyndon B. Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater, winning 486 of 538 electoral votes and 61.1% of the popular vote.
Results
61.9%
Turnout rate
70.6M
Total votes cast
114.0M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 43 | DemocraticJohnson | +36% |
| California(CA) | 40 | DemocraticJohnson | +18.6% |
| Texas(TX) | 25 | DemocraticJohnson | +26% |
| Arizona(AZ) | 5 | RepublicanGoldwater | +0.9% |
| Mississippi(MS) | 7 | RepublicanGoldwater | +74% |
Candidates
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
Hubert Humphrey
Home state
Texas
Age at election
56
Previous position
36th President of the United States (Incumbent)
Campaign slogan
"All the Way with LBJ"
Popular vote
43.1M
(61.1%)
Electoral votes
486
Party
RepublicanRunning mate
William E. Miller
Home state
Arizona
Age at election
55
Previous position
U.S. Senator from Arizona
Campaign slogan
"In Your Heart, You Know He's Right"
Popular vote
27.2M
(38.5%)
Electoral votes
52
African Americans
Johnson
94%
Labor Unions
Johnson
73%
Deep South Whites
Goldwater
87%
Key events
Civil Rights Act
Landmark legislation ended legal segregation
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
Gave LBJ broad war powers in Vietnam
'Daisy' Ad
Famous attack ad implied Goldwater might start nuclear war
Issues & context
LBJ landslide after JFK assassination. Goldwater's conservatism seen as extreme. 'Daisy' ad implied nuclear danger. Deep South flipped Republican over civil rights. Great Society enacted.
Strong economic growth. War on Poverty beginning. Civil rights advances. Vietnam costs not yet heavy.
LBJ had public sympathy after JFK. Great Society popular. Goldwater's 'extremism in defense of liberty' quote backfired.
Launched modern conservative movement. Southern realignment accelerated. Great Society expanded. Vietnam would destroy LBJ's presidency.
Did you know?
- 1.'Daisy' ad ran only once but became legendary
- 2.Goldwater won only Arizona and 5 Deep South states
- 3.First time Deep South voted Republican since Reconstruction
- 4.LBJ won largest popular vote margin since FDR 1936
- 5.Goldwater's campaign launched Reagan's political career