Woodrow Wilson's 1912 election victory was largely attributed to the split in the Republican Party, which occurred when former President Theodore Roosevelt ran as a third-party candidate under the Progressive Party. This division allowed Wilson to secure a majority of the electoral college votes with only 42% of the popular vote. Additionally, Wilson's campaign focused on his progressive reform platform, which included policies such as tariff reduction, banking reform, and labor protections. This message resonated with voters who were disillusioned with the political establishment and sought change. Finally, Wilson's strong support from Southern Democrats due to his previous record as Governor of New Jersey also contributed to his success in key swing states.