United States Presidential Election of 1884

Cleveland beat Blaine 219 to 182 as New York decided the presidency by about 1,000 votes.

Overview

Grover Cleveland, the reform Democratic governor whose slogan was public office is a public trust, faced James Blaine, tarred by railroad corruption letters and a rally's slur against Catholics, rum, romanism, and rebellion. Cleveland, publicly embarrassed by a paternity scandal, won 219 to 182, with New York's 36 electors decided by roughly 1,100 votes, fewer than Blaine's narrow margin there. The contest was the dirtiest of the century and the first Democratic presidential victory since 1856.