1964 presidential election

The 1964 U.S. presidential election was a contest between incumbent Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson and Republican Senator Barry Goldwater. Johnson had assumed the presidency after JFK's assassination and campaigned on continuing JFK’s policies, emphasizing civil rights and social programs. Goldwater positioned himself as a conservative outsider opposed to federal intervention. Johnson won a decisive victory with over 61% of the popular vote and a large majority in the Electoral College, reflecting widespread support for his policies and a rejection of Goldwater’s more radical conservative stance. The election marked a significant shift in American political dynamics.