The 1968 Republican National Convention took place from August 5 to August 8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Dade County, Florida. It was the formal gathering where the Republican Party of the United States selected its ticket for the November 1968 presidential election. Delegates, party officials and supporters met to adopt a platform, resolve rules, and confirm the party's nominees after a season of primaries and state contests.
Key facts
- Dates and place: August 5–8, 1968; Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Dade County, Florida.
- Nominees: Richard Nixon for president and Spiro Agnew for vice president.
- Purpose: to select the Republican ticket and approve the party platform for the 1968 presidential election.
By the time delegates assembled, former Vice President Nixon had emerged as the clear frontrunner after campaigning in earlier primaries and securing widespread delegate support. The convention confirmed his nomination by acclamation and ratified the choice of Spiro Agnew, then governor of Maryland, as the vice presidential nominee. Agnew's selection surprised many observers because he was less nationally prominent than other Republican figures, but party leaders saw him as a running mate who could appeal across regional lines.
Background and political context
The convention occurred during a year of sharp national turmoil: the Vietnam War, widespread social unrest, and the assassinations of prominent leaders had deeply affected American politics. Republicans sought to present a message of order, national security and stability, contrasting with the chaotic images that marked parts of the 1968 campaign season. The party platform reflected priorities such as law and order, support for a strong international posture, and economic themes intended to broaden Republican appeal.
Convention process and notable aspects
Delegates debated platform planks and procedural rules, but the nomination itself was not contested at the convention because Nixon had secured enough delegates beforehand. The convention stage, speeches and roll-call formalities were used to unify various party factions and to launch the general-election campaign. Media coverage emphasized both the ceremonial aspects and the broader political strategy that the party intended to pursue in November.
Historically, the 1968 Republican National Convention is remembered for its role in returning Richard Nixon to national office and for establishing the ticket that would go on to win the presidency later that year. It also marked an important moment in the Republican Party's navigation of the era's political realignments. For further reading about the party, the city that hosted the event, and the election, see the related entries on the Republican Party, the United States, and the 1968 presidential election.