1884 United States presidential election — 25th quadrennial U.S. presidential election
Grover Cleveland's 1884 victory ended six consecutive Republican presidential wins, making him the first Democrat elected president since 1856.
Key Facts
- Cleveland popular vote
- 48.8%
- Blaine popular vote
- 48.3%
- Cleveland electoral votes
- 219 electoral votes
- Blaine electoral votes
- 182 electoral votes
- New York margin of victory
- 1,149 votes
- Consecutive Republican wins ended
- 6 elections
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After six consecutive Republican presidential victories, Democratic nominee Grover Cleveland benefited from Blaine's reputation for corruption, the defection of reformist 'Mugwump' Republicans, Blaine's last-minute alienation of Catholic voters, and widespread voter exhaustion with Republican rule dating back to the Reconstruction era.
On November 4, 1884, Grover Cleveland, Democratic Governor of New York, narrowly defeated Republican James G. Blaine of Maine. Cleveland carried the Solid South and key swing states, winning 219 electoral votes to Blaine's 182, in a campaign defined by personal mudslinging rather than substantive policy debate.
Cleveland became the first Democrat elected president since James Buchanan in 1856 and the first to hold office since Andrew Johnson left in 1869, interrupting Republican dominance of the presidency. Blaine became the only Republican nominee between 1860 and 1912 never to win a presidential election. Cleveland later won a second non-consecutive term in 1892.
Political Outcome
Grover Cleveland (Democrat) defeated James G. Blaine (Republican), winning 219 electoral votes to 182, ending six consecutive Republican presidential victories.
Republican Party (six consecutive presidential terms)
Democratic Party under Grover Cleveland