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Presidential election

2004 presidential election

George W. Bush defeated John Kerry, winning 286 of 538 electoral votes and 50.7% of the popular vote.

November 2, 2004

George W. Bush

Republican

George W. Bush won the 2004 presidential election with 286 of 538 electoral votes, and 50.7% of the popular vote. Running mate: Dick Cheney.

286
of 538 electoral votes
50.7%
popular vote
55.7%
turnout

Results

Vote breakdown
George W. BushRepublican
50.7%(62.0M votes)
286 EV
John KerryDemocratic
48.3%(59.0M votes)
251 EV
Voter turnout

55.7%

Turnout rate

122.3M

Total votes cast

221.0M

Eligible voters

State results
StateElectoral votesWinnerMargin
Ohio(OH)20
RepublicanBush
+2.1%
Florida(FL)27
RepublicanBush
+5%
Pennsylvania(PA)21
DemocraticKerry
+2.5%
California(CA)55
DemocraticKerry
+9.9%
Texas(TX)34
RepublicanBush
+22.9%
Swing states
Ohio
Held
Electoral votes:20
Margin:2.1%
Previous:Bush
Florida
Held
Electoral votes:27
Margin:5%
Previous:Bush
New Mexico
Flipped
Electoral votes:5
Margin:0.8%
Previous:Gore

Candidates

George W. Bush
Winner

Party

Republican

Running mate

Dick Cheney

Home state

Texas

Age at election

58

Previous position

43rd President of the United States (Incumbent)

Campaign slogan

"A Safer World and a More Hopeful America"

Popular vote

62.0M

(50.7%)

Electoral votes

286

John Kerry

Party

Democratic

Running mate

John Edwards

Home state

Massachusetts

Age at election

60

Previous position

U.S. Senator from Massachusetts

Popular vote

59.0M

(48.3%)

Electoral votes

251

Voting demographics

White Evangelicals

Bush

78%

Veterans

Bush

57%

African Americans

Kerry

88%

Key events

Campaign timeline
major
August 2004

Swift Boat Veterans Attacks

Ads attacked Kerry's Vietnam service record

moderate
October 2004

Osama bin Laden Video

Bin Laden video days before election may have helped Bush

Presidential debates

Issues & context

Key campaign issues
Iraq War
War on Terror
Economy
Moral Values
Healthcare
Historical context

First post-9/11 reelection. Iraq War controversial but Bush won on 'wartime president' message. Swift Boat attacks hurt Kerry. Ohio decided race. 'Moral values' voters emerged as key factor.

Economic conditions

Recovery from 2001 recession. Job growth returning. Tax cuts in effect. Housing market beginning unsustainable rise.

Incumbent factors

Bush benefited from 'rally around the flag' effect. Kerry struggled to articulate Iraq position. 'Flip-flopper' label stuck.

Legacy and impact

Bush's second term plagued by Katrina, Iraq deterioration, financial crisis. Set stage for Obama's 2008 victory. Karl Rove's base mobilization strategy influential.

Did you know?

  • 1.Ohio decided election - Kerry conceded next day
  • 2.Swift Boat attacks became verb for political smears
  • 3.First popular vote win for Republican since 1988
  • 4.'Moral values' exit poll answer sparked debate
  • 5.Highest turnout since 1968
Explore more

2008 Election

View the next presidential election

2000 Election

View the previous presidential election

Compare This Election

See how this election compares to others

Electoral College Map

Interactive visualization of electoral results

Swing State Analysis

Which states were battlegrounds?

This site explains the structure and history of U.S. federal elections and is not an official government resource. All data shown is for educational purposes only.