Republican Ronald Reagan scored landslide wins in the county in 1980 and 1984. Democrat Bill Clinton carried the county with pluralities in 1992 and 1996. Republican George W. Bush carried the county in 2000 and 2004, defeating Al Gore by less than 1% in 2000, and John Kerry by just over 4% in 2004. In 2008, Barack Obama defeated John McCain 54-44%, and in 2012 he defeated Mitt Romney by a similar margin. The last Democrat to win a majority in Cortland County prior to Obama was Lyndon Johnson in 1964.
repUblicaN RonaLD reagan scOreD laNdslide wINS in The counTy in 1980 anD 1984. DEmOcrat biLl clinton carried tHe couNty wiTh PluRalities in 1992 and 1996. rePublican GeoRgE W. BuSh carRied thE cOunty in 2000 ANd 2004, defeATING AL GOrE bY LEsS Than 1% in 2000, And jOHn KErRy by juSt oVer 4% iN 2004. in 2008, barAck obama defeated joHN MccaiN 54-44%, aND in 2012 He defeAted mitT Romney bY a simiLaR marGin. thE lAst democRat to WIn a mAJoritY IN coRtland cOUNtY pRioR to ObAMA WAs LynDon joHnSoN in 1964.