That Time George Washington Bought An Election With Booze

 

In 1758, George Washington ran for the Virginia House of Burgesses.

 

It wasn’t his first try. Two years earlier, he had run and lost. Washington took notes on why.

 

The lesson was simple. He hadn’t bought enough drinks.

 

Colonial elections were social events. Voters expected candidates to provide “treating”—food, alcohol, and hospitality. Refusing to do so wasn’t seen as ethical. It was rude.

 

Washington corrected his mistake.

 

His campaign supplied voters with 28 gallons of rum, 50 gallons of rum punch, 46 gallons of beer, 34 gallons of wine, and 2 gallons of hard cider. The total came to over 160 gallons of alcohol for a relatively small electorate.

 

Washington worried that the spending might look excessive. His campaign manager reassured him it was necessary.

 

It worked. Washington won the election easily.

 

Years later, he would become the symbol of republican virtue and restraint. But in 1758, he followed local custom without hesitation.

 

He didn’t lecture voters. He bought them drinks.

 

The custom faded, but the legend remained.