The 2004 United States Presidential election was a contest between Democratic Senator John Edwards of North Carolina and his running mate, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois and Republican nominee Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and her running mate, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska. The focus of the election was largely centered around foreign policy, concerning primarily the issues in North Korea and Iran. Thanks to the positivity associated with outgoing President Al Gore and a robust economy, Edwards won a landslide election. It was the first election in which a woman was the Presidential nominee and the first election since 1920 when both candidates hailed from the same state.