LBJ Announces He Won't Seek Reelection in 1968

The former president's surprise announcement came at the conclusion of a nationally televised address on the Vietnam War.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:06pm

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On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson stunned the nation by declaring during a televised address that he would not seek or accept the Democratic nomination for another term as president. The announcement came as Johnson was nearing the end of his first full term in office, which had been marked by the escalating conflict in Vietnam.

Why it matters

Johnson's decision not to run for reelection was a pivotal moment in American politics, as it opened the door for new candidates to vie for the presidency and shifted the trajectory of the Vietnam War and domestic policy. The announcement also highlighted the deep divisions within the Democratic Party and the American public over the war.

The details

In his televised address, Johnson cited the nation's growing discord and his desire to focus on seeking peace in Vietnam as the primary reasons for his decision not to run. The announcement came as Johnson's approval ratings had plummeted due to the unpopular war, and there was growing unrest within the Democratic Party over the direction of his administration.

  • On March 31, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson made the surprise announcement during a nationally televised address.
  • Johnson's decision not to run for reelection came near the end of his first full term as president.

The players

Lyndon B. Johnson

The 36th President of the United States, who served from 1963 to 1969. Johnson's presidency was dominated by the escalating conflict in Vietnam and growing domestic unrest.

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What they’re saying

“I shall not seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as your president.”

— Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States

What’s next

Johnson's decision opened the door for new candidates to vie for the Democratic nomination in the 1968 presidential election, including Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy, who had emerged as vocal critics of the Vietnam War.

The takeaway

Johnson's surprise announcement marked a pivotal moment in American politics, as it signaled the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in the nation's history. The decision highlighted the deep divisions within the Democratic Party and the American public over the Vietnam War, and set the stage for a contentious and turbulent presidential election season.