Ronald Reagan: From Hollywood To The Oval Office

It Took Three Tries For Reagan To Be Elected President

Photo Credit: George Rose/Getty Images

Ronald Reagan first attempted to run for President in 1968. The attempt was two years into his term as California’s Governor. His run was never serious. Republicans at the time were trying to push support away from Nixon. The “compromise candidate” effort failed, and Nixon won the Republican Primary.

Reagan ran for President again in 1976 after his Governorship was over. Challenging Gerald Ford during the primary cycle, Reagan ran a more extreme conservative campaign than his moderate opponent. Ford won the primary by 117 votes, giving Reagan momentum heading into his third and final attempt to run for President of the United States. Amazingly, when Reagan was elected President, it was by a landslide.