United States Presidential Election of 1916
Wilson re-elected 277 to 254, with California decided by fewer than 4,000 votes.
Overview
Running on the slogan he kept us out of war, Wilson barely survived Charles Evans Hughes's challenge, losing the East early before California's 13 electors, decided by 3,773 votes, gave him 277 to 254. It was the closest margin since 1876 and one of four decided by under ten electors. Wilson polled only 49.2 percent against Hughes and Benson, and four months later asked Congress to declare war on Germany, making the peace platform one of history's shortest-lived.
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