1912 Republican National Convention

Candidate Battle

The 1912 Republican National Convention marked a significant turning point in American politics, featuring a heated nomination battle between former president Theodore Roosevelt and incumbent Republican president William Howard Taft.

Primary Process Transformation

Prior to the convention, a battle over presidential primary elections transformed the primary process. From January 23 to June 4, 1912, delegates to the convention were selected through a series of primaries, a practice that had a lasting impact on American politics.

Convention Highlights

Held at the Chicago Coliseum from June 18 to 22, 1912, the convention was a highly contested affair. Roosevelt emerged as the front-runner after winning several primaries, but Taft retained the support of party regulars. After a grueling convention, Taft ultimately secured the nomination, leading to a split in the Republican Party that allowed Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency in the general election.