Vice President Kamala Harris has had a unique and swift journey to becoming the Democratic candidate for the upcoming presidential election. President Joe Biden made the decision to end his reelection campaign and throw his support behind Harris in July. This move garnered widespread support from the Democratic party, with virtually all members, including potential challengers, endorsing Harris in a matter of hours. In less than 36 hours, she had secured enough unofficial endorsements from delegates to solidify her position as the party's nominee.
Looking back at history, it becomes evident that there are various paths that candidates can take to secure the nomination or win the presidency. Of the 15 vice presidents who went on to become president, eight ascended to the position due to the death of the sitting president. Gerald R. Ford stands out as the only individual to have served as both president and vice president without being elected to either office.
Examining recent presidents, it is notable that four out of the last eight have previously served as governors, while three transitioned directly from the US Senate to the White House. Notably, five presidents, including Donald Trump, had never held elected office before assuming the presidency. This group also includes individuals such as Zachary Taylor, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had military backgrounds, as well as Herbert Hoover, who previously served as the secretary of commerce.
Furthermore, a significant number of presidents have come from the ranks of governors and members of Congress, with 17 governors and 26 members of Congress having ascended to the presidency throughout history.
