alternatehistory.com

April 1, 1968

Johnson announces he will not seek re-election

At the end of a speech on Vietnam yesterday, President Lyndon Johnson unexpectedly announced that he would not run for re-election this year. Johnson stated that he would “not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your President." [1] This announcement came as a shock to many, and the timing caused some to think it was an April Fools’ joke.

While Johnson claimed that he made this choice because he wished to focus on Vietnam, his poor showing in the New Hampshire primary held on March 12 may have contributed to his decision not to run. In New Hampshire, Johnson’s challenger Eugene McCarthy won 42% of the primary vote, close to Johnson's 49%. While Johnson won the primary, McCarthy’s extremely strong showing gave his campaign legitimacy and momentum. A few days later, Robert F. Kennedy renounced his earlier support for Johnson and proclaimed his candidacy. To make matters worse, a poll in Wisconsin suggests that Johnson could lose to McCarthy in that state’s primary on April 2.

There are rumors that Vice President Hubert Humphrey will enter the race in Johnson’s stead. So far, Humphrey has given no indication he will jump into the race. It is too late for him to get on the ballot on any of the primaries, which would make for a difficult path to win the nomination. [2]