 Republican candidate Alf Landon, who lost 46 of 48 states in 1936, won DeKalb County by double digits, whilst even Barry Goldwater – renowned for his antagonism towards the establishment – won by seven percent despite losing sixteen percent of the vote compared to Richard Nixon in 1960.Around the turn of the twenty first century, DeKalb County shifted more toward a balance of power in national elections, owing to the growth of the largely Democratic student population in DeKalb.DeKalb County still remains solidly Republican for most local elected officials, however, with all municipalities outside of the city of DeKalb voting strongly Republican.