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Image courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.

JFK's 1960 Campaign

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On November 8, 1960, the United States held a historic presidential election. The Democratic ticket, led by Senator John F. Kennedy with his running mate, Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson narrowly defeated the Republican ticket of Vice President Richard Nixon and his running mate U.N. Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

Vice President Nixon faced little opposition for the Republican nomination, while Senator John F. Kennedy emerged as the Democratic frontrunner after overcoming doubts about his youth and faith, securing key primary victories.

The 1960 Presidential election was one of the closest in U.S. history. Kennedy, a Roman Catholic, gained significant support from Catholic voters. Econonic concerns and the advantage of a larger Democratic voter base played key roles. Kennedy won with 303 electoral votes to Nixon's 219 and secured the popular vote by just 0.17%.

This election made John F. Kennedy the youngest man ever elected president, the first Catholic, and the first president born in the twentieth century.