Ford Dole

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Despite being a sitting president, the 1976 was Gerald Ford's first presidential campaign. In 1973, then-president Nixon appointed Ford as the vice president under the terms of the 25th Amendment when Spiro Agnew stepped down. Agnew's resignation was soon followed by Nixon's which enabled Gerald Ford to become the 38th President of the United States. 

Ford had anticipated retiring from politics after his vice presidential term was over and therefore had to be convinced to enter the 1976 presidential election campaign. He won the nomination of the Republican party over former Governor of California Ronald Reagan. Bob Dole was chosen as a running mate to satisfy the more conservative members of the party. While President Ford’s campaign received increased press coverage due to him presiding over numerous bicentennial events, the Democratic nominee Jimmy Carter won the election with 50.1% of the popular vote and 297 electoral votes compared to Ford’s 48% of the popular vote and 240 electoral votes.