1892 United States presidential election — 27th quadrennial U.S. presidential election
Grover Cleveland became the first U.S. president elected to a nonconsecutive second term, defeating the incumbent he had previously lost to.
Key Facts
- Winner
- Grover Cleveland (Democrat)
- Incumbent defeated
- Benjamin Harrison (Republican)
- Populist popular vote share
- 8.6% for James B. Weaver
- Prohibition Party vote share
- 2.2% for John Bidwell
- Election date
- November 8, 1892
- Consecutive incumbent defeats
- Third of four straight (1884–1896)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Economic discontent over the protectionist 1890 McKinley Tariff and disputes over monetary policy fueled opposition to the incumbent Harrison administration. The Grange and Knights of Labor formed the Populist Party to challenge both major parties, while Cleveland campaigned on tariff reduction and the gold standard.
On November 8, 1892, Democrat Grover Cleveland defeated incumbent Republican President Benjamin Harrison in a rematch of the 1888 election. Cleveland swept the Solid South, won key swing states, and secured a majority of the electoral vote. Populist candidate James B. Weaver carried several Western states, marking a significant third-party showing.
Cleveland became the only president elected to a nonconsecutive second term, returning to the White House for a second presidency. The strong Populist showing reflected rising agrarian and labor discontent. The election continued a streak in which four consecutive incumbent parties lost the presidency between 1884 and 1896.
Political Outcome
Grover Cleveland (Democrat) won the presidency, defeating incumbent Benjamin Harrison (Republican) and Populist James B. Weaver.
Republican President Benjamin Harrison
Democratic President Grover Cleveland