1896 United States presidential election in Kentucky  The 1896 United States presidential election in Kentucky took place on November 3, 1896. All contemporary 45 states were part of the 1896 United States presidential election. Kentucky voters chose 13 electors to the Electoral College, which selected the president and vice president. Kentucky was won by the Republican nominees, former Ohio Governor William McKinley and his running mate Garret Hobart of New Jersey. This was the first time that a Republican candidate carried the state.