Who won Virginia in the 1988 presidential election?

Bush (Republican) carried Virginia in 1988, winning its 12 electoral votes.

How many electoral votes did Virginia have in 1988?

Virginia cast 12 electoral votes in the 1988 presidential election.

Did Virginia vote for the national winner in 1988?

Yes. Virginia backed George H. W. Bush, who won the presidency that year.

Cold War RealignmentVA · 12 EV

1988

Virginia: Bush carries 12 EV.

Virginia cast its 12 electoral votes for Bush (Republican). National winner: George H. W. Bush (Republican) — Virginia voted with the national winner this cycle.

Reading the 1988 result in Virginia

Virginia backed Bush (Republican) in the 1988 presidential election, casting 12 electoral votes for the ticket. That placed Virginia with the eventual winner: George H. W. Bush went on to take the presidency, and Virginia was part of his column.

Virginia stayed in the Republican column for the 6th straight cycle, extending a run that began in 1968. The region divided — North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky joined Virginia for the Republican ticket, while West Virginia, Maryland, and District of Columbia did not. Over its 58 recorded presidential cycles, Virginia has backed the Democratic party more than any other — 33 times in all. The vote fell within the Cold War Realignment — Nixon, Reagan, and the Republican South.

Nationally, George H. W. Bush finished with 426 of the 538 electoral votes to Michael Dukakis's 111. George H. W. Bush led the national popular vote with 53.37% of the ballots cast.

The 1988 national map

Virginia full history →