 In 1896 , William McKinley was elected President of the United States . McKinley , a Republican and former Governor of Ohio , defeated the joint Democratic and Populist nominee , William Jennings Bryan , as well as minor @-@ party candidates . McKinley 's decisive victory in what is sometimes seen as a realigning election ended a period of close presidential contests , and ushered in an era of dominance for the Republican Party . 
