Seeking a record fourth term , Democratic incumbent President Franklin D. Roosevelt was challenged by Republican Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York . Dewey ran an energetic campaign , seeking a smaller government and a less-regulated economy as the end of World War II seemed in sight . Roosevelt dominated the electoral college for the fourth straight election and won the popular vote by seven and a half points , his lowest margin . Roosevelt easily won his party 's nomination , while Dewey took the Republican nomination on the first ballot over Ohio Governor John W. Bricker , who would be nominated for vice president . Future president Harry S. Truman won the Democratic nomination for vice president , replacing Henry A. Wallace on the Democratic ballot
Republican nomination
1944 Republican National Convention
1944 United States elections