the election was held during the latter part of world war ii. by this time the war was going well for the united states and its allies. roosevelt had already served longer than any other president, but remained popular. unlike in 1940, there was little doubt that he would run for another term as the democratic candidate, as his health was failing. dewey, the governor of new york, campaigned against the new deal and for a smaller government. but he could not convince the country to change course. roosevelt's aides covered up the fact the president was in poor health. roosevelt would die in office three months after starting his fourth term. his vice president, harry s. truman, would serve out the remainder of his term of office.