Prior to this year’s election, when was the last time a Republican presidential candidate won the popular vote?”

Prior to this year’s election, when was the last time a Republican presidential candidate won the popular vote?”

Ronald Reagan in 1984
George H.W. Bush in 1988
George W. Bush in 2004
Donald Trump in 2016

The last time a Republican presidential candidate won the popular vote prior to this year’s election was in 2004. During that election, President George W. Bush secured a second term by defeating Democratic challenger John Kerry. Bush received approximately 62 million votes, which accounted for 50.7% of the total votes cast, making it the first time since 1988 that a Republican candidate achieved a majority in the popular vote. At the time, Bush received the most popular votes in history, a record which would later be surpassed in the 2008 presidential election.

Correct Answer: George W. Bush in 2004