1968 California Democratic presidential primary

E4740

The 1968 California Democratic presidential primary was a pivotal and hard-fought contest that effectively decided the Democratic nomination’s direction before being tragically overshadowed by Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination on the night of his victory.


Statements (47)
Predicate Object
instanceOf United States presidential primary election
associatedEvent assassination of Robert F. Kennedy
associatedPlace Los Angeles, California
ballotType secret ballot
campaignIssue Vietnam War
civil rights
poverty
campaignSloganUsedBy Robert F. Kennedy presidential campaign, 1968
campaignStrategy heavy emphasis on urban and minority voters by Robert F. Kennedy
strong appeal to anti-war and student voters by Eugene McCarthy
category 1968 elections in California
1968 in American politics
California Democratic primaries
Eugene McCarthy (politician)
Robert F. Kennedy
country United States
date 1968-06-04
electoralProcess winner-take-all
electoralSystem statewide popular vote to select delegates
electorate Democratic voters in California
followedBy 1972 California Democratic presidential primary
historicalContext occurred during a period of major social unrest in the United States
took place after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
impact deepened divisions within the Democratic Party over the Vietnam War
strengthened Robert F. Kennedy’s position as a leading contender for the Democratic nomination
language English
locatedIn California
mainCandidate Eugene McCarthy
Hubert Humphrey
Robert F. Kennedy
mediaCoverage extensive national television coverage
notableFor close contest between Robert F. Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy
influence on direction of 1968 Democratic presidential nomination race
occurring shortly before Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination
opponent Eugene McCarthy
partOf 1968 Democratic Party presidential primaries
1968 United States presidential election
party Democratic Party (United States)
politicalPartyLeader California Democratic Party
precededBy 1964 California Democratic presidential primary
relatedEvent 1968 Democratic National Convention
1968 Oregon Democratic presidential primary
resultType popular vote primary
timePeriod 1960s in California politics
Cold War
voterTurnout high
winner Robert F. Kennedy


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