McKinley 's vice president , Garret Hobart , had died in November 1899 . Under the laws then in force , this made Hay next in line to the presidency should anything happen to McKinley . There was a presidential election in 1900 , and McKinley was unanimously renominated at the Republican National Convention that year . He allowed the convention to make its own choice of running mate , and it selected Roosevelt , by then Governor of New York . Senator Hanna bitterly opposed that choice , but nevertheless raised millions for the McKinley/Roosevelt ticket , which was elected
the Republican National Convention
1900 Republican National Convention
John Hay