U.S. presidential election, 1960

The U.S. presidential election of 1960 was held on November 8, 1960.

Nominations

Republican Party nomination

Vice President Richard M. Nixon faced little opposition for the Republican nomination. He chose former Senator and Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. as vice presidential candidate. Barry Goldwater was nominated, but declined to be considered and supported Richard Nixon.

Related Topics:
Richard M. Nixon - Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. - Barry Goldwater

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Democratic Party nomination

Candidates for the nomination included:

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• Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy
• Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson
• Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey
• California Governor Pat Brown
• Ohio Governor Michael V. DiSalle
• Oregon Senator Wayne L. Morse
• Florida Senator George A. Smathers
• Missouri Senator Stuart Symington

Kennedy's Catholic religion was raised as an issue by some factions, an issue that had contributed significantly to Al Smith's solid defeat in 1928.

Related Topics:
Catholic religion - Al Smith's solid defeat in 1928

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In the end Kennedy's youth and war record impressed delegates, and his popularity and campaign spending carried the day. Kennedy chose Johnson as vice presidential candidate to balance the ticket and secure Southern votes.

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Other nominations

Independent candidate Harry F. Byrd, a maverick segregationist Democrat, received 15 electoral votes; 14 from unpledged Democratic electors and one from an elector pledged to Nixon. If these votes had all gone to Nixon, Kennedy would still have won the election.

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