William Jennings Bryan

United States Secretary of State · United States representative

William Jennings Bryan was an American lawyer, orator, and politician. He was a dominant force in the Democratic Party, running three times as the party's nominee for President of the United States in the 1896, 1900, and 1908 elections. He served in the House of Representatives from 1891 to 1895 and as the secretary of state under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915. Because of his faith in the wisdom of the common people, Bryan was often called "the Great Commoner", and because of his rhetorical power and early fame as the youngest presidential candidate, "the Boy Orator".

On the Ballot

3 presidential runs

1896Lost46.7% of the vote · 176 EV · v. William McKinley

Strongest counties, 1896

County	two-party share	votes
West Carroll, LA	100.0%	638
Kaufman, TX	100.0%	3,798
Limestone, TX	100.0%	5,059
Smith, MS	99.9%	1,085
East Feliciana, LA	99.5%	1,572

Weakest counties, 1896

County	two-party share	votes
Isabella, MI	1.0%	5,189
Cheboygan, MI	1.0%	3,230
Newaygo, MI	1.1%	4,688
Presque Isle, MI	1.3%	1,155
Schoolcraft, MI	1.3%	1,548

1900Lost45.5% of the vote · 155 EV · v. William McKinley

Strongest counties, 1900

County	two-party share	votes
Hampton, SC	99.9%	937
Greenwood, SC	99.7%	1,486
Dooly, GA	99.6%	849
Saluda, SC	99.5%	1,276
Abbeville, SC	99.4%	1,374

Weakest counties, 1900

County	two-party share	votes
Smith, KS	0.6%	3,809
Pratt, KS	2.3%	1,674
Unicoi, TN	8.5%	917
Leslie, KY	8.5%	1,300
Scott, TN	10.3%	1,672

1908Lost43.0% of the vote · 162 EV · v. William Howard Taft

Strongest counties, 1908

County	two-party share	votes
Hampton, SC	100.0%	1,138
Wilkinson, MS	99.8%	535
Wilcox, AL	99.8%	1,029
Fayette, TN	99.8%	1,870
Tallahatchie, MS	99.7%	685

Weakest counties, 1908

County	two-party share	votes
Keweenaw, MI	5.8%	1,133
Leslie, KY	6.4%	1,505
Unicoi, TN	7.2%	927
Sevier, TN	8.5%	3,423
Scott, TN	8.9%	2,147