2004 United States presidential election — 55th quadrennial U.S. presidential election
Bush's 2004 re-election was the only Republican popular vote victory in eight consecutive presidential elections from 1992 to 2020.
Key Facts
- Electoral vote margin
- 35 electoral votes
- Bush popular vote share
- 50.7%
- Election number
- 55th quadrennial presidential election
- Tipping-point state
- Ohio
- Bush popular votes
- Most in U.S. history at the time
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The September 11, 2001 attacks reshaped Bush's presidency and initially boosted his approval, but by 2004 his conduct of the Iraq War became deeply contested. Democrats nominated Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, who had voted to authorize the invasion but criticized Bush's handling of it. The election centered on national security, the economy, and social issues including same-sex marriage.
On November 2, 2004, incumbent President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney defeated the Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards. Bush won 50.7% of the popular vote and carried key swing states including Ohio, Iowa, and New Mexico, securing re-election by a margin of 35 electoral votes.
Bush became the only incumbent Republican president to win a second term since Ronald Reagan in 1984, and the only Republican to win a popular vote majority since George H. W. Bush in 1988. At the time, he received more popular votes than any previous presidential candidate, a record later broken in 2008.
Political Outcome
Incumbent Republican George W. Bush and Dick Cheney won re-election, defeating Democrat John Kerry and John Edwards by 35 electoral votes and 50.7% of the popular vote.
George W. Bush, first term (Republican)
George W. Bush, second term (Republican)