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Would it be possible for a Congressman (or woman) to be elected President?

Would it be possible for a congressman to first of all win his Parties nomination and then to win the Presidency in an election?

When was the last time this happened? Not for an awfully long time I think

Thank you!

Update:

Hilariously I was addressed as a conservative! I'm not but I dont think it matters what my political ideology is

As a Brit, I was mistaken to say "Congressman" when what I meant was Member of the House of Representatives

6 Answers

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  • Adam J
    Lv 6
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    The short answer is yes.

    One note of clarification: The US Congress is composed of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate (which is generally considered the upper chamber). In the US 'Congressman' (or woman) could theoretically be used for a member of either chamber, but is most often used to refer to members of the House--members of the Senate are called Senators. (My apologies if you already knew this).

    Many Presidents have served at some point in either the House or the Senate. Senators are seen as viable candidates for the Presidency--for example John Kerry, John McCain, Bob Dole and Barack Obama have all been Senators who were nominated to be President by one or the other of the major parties. In general being a member of the House is seen as a much less prestigeous job that being a Senator or Governor of a State, and House members are rarely nominated to be President-- apparently James Garfield (who was President in 1881) was the only President to be elected directly from the House. However being a Representative is often a gateway post to more significant political jobs, and House members frequently become Senators or Governors and then run for President.

    A house member can run for the Presidency, but in general they're not likely to be taken seriously as a candidate.

  • 8 years ago

    actually only one congressman has ever made direct trip to the presidency and that was in the 1800's. even senators have a hard time getting to be POTUS , the last senator to be president before President Obama was John F, Kennedy. If someone wanted to be President , their best bet would be Governor , since they already have experience in an Executive position

    Source(s): 5 on AP Government exam
  • 8 years ago

    possible, yes, but not especially easy. congressmen have small districts which makes it hard to develop any national appeal. Paul Ryan is a congressman, and it didn't help him much. So were Newt Gringrich and Paul Rand. The last president who was a congressman was Gerald Ford, but he wasn't elected. and Obama was a senator when he got the nomination.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    The only sitting member of the US House to get elected President was James Garfield, back in 1880. And yes, it is possible for it to happen again. Although it is rare for it to happen, nothing at all says that it simply can't happen again. One of the answers above mentioned Paul Ryan -- that is an example of a member of the House who could, possibly, be the next President to get elected directly from the House to the White House.

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  • ?
    Lv 5
    8 years ago

    Obama was a congressman - the congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate.

    You are welcomed. (Did I just do your homework?)

  • 8 years ago

    Yes, of course. It has occurred many times, including President Obama, who was an Illinois senator. Since you're a conservative, you're igorant of reality.

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