Despite losing 10 of 12 Republican primaries , the party regulars renominated Taft on the first ballot .
Former President Theodore Roosevelt challenged his hand - picked successor , President William Howard Taft , for the Republican nomination .
Despite losing 10 of 12 Republican primaries , the party regulars renominated President on the first ballot .
Former President Theodore Roosevelt challenged his hand - picked successor , President William Howard Taft , for the Republican nomination .