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 . The convention held several ballots over multiple days , with McAdoo and Governor James Cox of Ohio emerging as the major contenders for the nomination . Though McAdoo had served as Secretary of the Treasury under Wilson , and had married Wilson 's daughter in 1914 , the president did not back McAdoo 's candidacy due in part to McAdoo 's perceived lukewarm support for the League of Nations . After dozens of ballots , the convention nominated a ticket consisting of Cox and Franklin D. Roosevelt , the Assistant Secretary of the Navy
1920 Democratic National Convention
1920 Democratic National Convention
Presidency of Woodrow Wilson