The election of 1936 was a turning point in American political history. Franklin D. Roosevelt, having entered office during the depths of the Great Depression, sought re-election by defending his New Deal against fierce critics. His opponent, Alf Landon, Governor of Kansas, attempted to rally conservatives against what they saw as government overreach. But the outcome would prove to be one of the most lopsided in U.S. presidential history.
FDR’s Response to the Great Depression
After defeating Herbert Hoover in 1932, Roosevelt wasted no time in tackling the Depression. He signed the Cullen-Harrison Act to begin the repeal of Prohibition and launched the sweeping New Deal. Its “Three Rs”—Relief, Recovery, and Reform—expanded the federal government’s role through job creation programs, banking regulations, and social welfare.
When the Supreme Court struck down several New Deal programs, Roosevelt countered with the “Second New Deal,” which introduced Social Security, unemployment benefits, a federal minimum wage, and stronger protections for workers. While business leaders condemned him, millions of struggling Americans rallied to his cause. By 1936, he and Vice President John Nance Garner were easily renominated by the Democrats.
Alf Landon for the Republicans
The Republicans, still reeling from their 1932 defeat, needed a credible challenger. After considering several figures, they turned to Alf Landon, a fiscally conservative Governor known for balancing budgets. Landon’s running mate was Frank Knox, a Chicago newspaper publisher who added energy to the ticket.
Landon campaigned against the New Deal, labeling it wasteful, unconstitutional, and dangerous to free enterprise. He singled out Social Security as a “fraud on the working man,” hoping to portray Roosevelt as reckless with taxpayers’ money.
Huey Long and the Union Party
A major wild card in the early stages of the race was Senator Huey Long of Louisiana, nicknamed “The Kingfish.” Long envisioned challenging Roosevelt directly with his populist “Share Our Wealth” program, which proposed capping personal fortunes and redistributing income. But his assassination in September 1935 ended those ambitions.
After his death, Long’s supporters created the Union Party, nominating North Dakota Congressman William Lemke. Without Long’s charisma, however, the party lacked momentum and failed to capture national support.
Campaigns and Polling Surprises
Roosevelt ran a vigorous campaign, often traveling and speaking directly to voters. At Madison Square Garden on Halloween, he delivered one of his most famous speeches, defiantly declaring, “I welcome their hatred” when addressing Wall Street critics.
By contrast, Landon’s campaign faltered. He was often absent from the trail, earning mockery from the press. The Literary Digest predicted a Landon victory through a massive—but flawed—mail-in poll that oversampled wealthy Republicans. Meanwhile, George Gallup’s more scientific polling accurately predicted Roosevelt’s landslide, establishing modern election polling.
The Election of 1936 Results
The outcome was overwhelming: Roosevelt carried 46 of 48 states, winning 523 electoral votes and 60.8% of the popular vote. Landon secured just 8 electoral votes from Vermont and Maine, with 36.5% of the vote. Lemke and the Union Party managed only 2%, and quickly faded into obscurity.
This landslide confirmed Roosevelt’s immense popularity and secured his place as one of the most dominant political figures in U.S. history. It also cemented the Democratic Party’s control of Congress, allowing Roosevelt to pursue even more ambitious reforms in his second term.
Conclusion
The election of 1936 built on the momentum of 1932, when Roosevelt first swept into power promising a New Deal for the American people. This time, his victory was even greater, delivering one of the largest margins in U.S. history and proving the enduring appeal of his policies. But the challenges of a changing world loomed large, and by the next election in 1940, America would be staring down the threat of global war.
