Despite his ill health , Wilson continued to entertain the possibility of running for a third term . Many of Wilson 's advisers tried to convince him that his health precluded another campaign , but Wilson nonetheless asked Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby to nominate him for president at the 1920 Democratic National Convention . While the convention strongly endorsed Wilson 's policies , Democratic leaders were unwilling to support the ailing Wilson for a third term , and instead nominated a ticket consisting of Governor James M. Cox and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt . The 1920 Republican National Convention nominated a dark horse candidate , Senator Warren G. Harding of Ohio . The Republicans centered their campaign around opposition to Wilson 's policies , with Harding promising a " return to normalcy " to the conservative policies that had prevailed at the turn of the century . Wilson largely stayed out of the campaign , although he endorsed Cox and continued to advocate for U.S. membership in the League of Nations . Harding won a landslide victory , taking 60.3 percent of the popular vote and winning every state outside of the South . Wilson met with Harding for tea on his last day in office , March 3 , 1921 , but health issues prevented him from taking part in Harding 's inauguration ceremonies
1920 Republican National Convention
1920 Republican National Convention
Woodrow Wilson