Season synopsis
Contains spoilers for this season and earlier seasons.
After the Democratic convention, Matt Santos and running mate Leo McGarry campaign against Republican nominee Arnold Vinick. Josh builds Santos’s operation as the candidates debate and pitch competing agendas, while the White House handles Bartlet’s final crises. Toby admits responsibility for leaking classified military shuttle information and is fired, while turmoil in Kazakhstan tests the administration’s diplomacy. Santos initially trails Vinick, whose experience and moderate positions attract voters. Josh and Donna also move from years of unresolved feelings into a relationship.
An accident at California’s San Andreo nuclear plant changes the campaign when news reveals Vinick had championed the facility. He rejects pressure to retreat from nuclear power, but the issue damages his standing and Santos gains ground. As both sides make their final push, the election remains too close to call. Leo is found unconscious and dies from a heart attack before the result is settled. Santos wins the presidency, and Vinick accepts the result rather than demand a recount.
After Leo’s funeral, the outgoing and incoming teams prepare for the transfer of power. Santos offers Vinick the State Department, and Vinick agrees to join the new administration. Bartlet’s final official act is to pardon Toby, whose leak prosecution had threatened his future. Santos takes the oath of office as the new president, and Bartlet leaves Washington with Abbey after eight years in the White House.