 As the 1876 presidential election approached , Garfield was loyal to the candidacy of Senator Blaine , and fought for the former Speaker 's nomination at the 1876 Republican National Convention in Cincinnati . When it became clear , after six ballots , that Blaine could not prevail , the convention nominated Ohio Governor Rutherford B. Hayes . Although Garfield had supported Blaine , he had kept good relations with Hayes , and wholeheartedly supported the governor . Garfield had hoped to retire from politics after his term expired to devote himself full @-@ time to the practice of law , but to help his party , he sought re @-@ election , and won it easily that October . Any celebration was short lived , as Garfield 's youngest son , Neddie , fell ill with whooping cough shortly after the congressional election , and soon died . 
