The United States is going to the polls on November 5, and Vice President Kamala Harris is one of the contenders for the top job. If Harris becomes president, she will be only the 16th vice president out of 50 Americans to ascend to the presidency since 1789.
Here’s a look at US vice presidents who ascended to the presidency:
John Adams (1797-1801)
John Adams, a prominent political philosopher, was the second President of the United States, following his role as First Vice President under George Washington. When Adams won the presidency, Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson was second, resulting in presidents and vice presidents from opposing parties.
Thomas Jefferson (1801 to 1809)
Thomas Jefferson, a champion of democracy and an American founding father, was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and served as the third president of the United States. When Jefferson became president, he cut spending on the army and navy, streamlined the budget, and abolished the unpopular whiskey tax that had plagued the West.
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
Martin Van Buren was the 8th President of the United States. A New York politician, he was appointed Secretary of State by Andrew Jackson. Skilled at handling the internal conflicts of the Jackson administration, Van Buren served as Vice President during Jackson’s second term from 1833 to 1837.
John Tyler (1841-1845)
John Tyler assumed the presidency as the 10th President of the United States after the death of President William Henry Harrison in April 1841, just 32 days into his term. Often called “his accident” by critics, Tyler was the first vice president to assume the presidency after the death of his predecessor.
Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States and a member of the Whig Party, holds the distinction of being the last president not affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties.
Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
Andrew Johnson supported slavery and states’ rights, but opposed southern secession in 1861. Elected as Abraham Lincoln’s running mate in 1864 for the “Union” Party, he became the 17th President of the United States after Lincoln’s assassination in 1865.
Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885)
Chester A. Arthur, with limited political experience from Vermont, was appointed collector of revenue in New York, where he was involved in corrupt practices to fund the Republican Party. He joined the 1880 Republican ticket as James Garfield’s running mate and became the 21st President of the United States, taking office after the assassination of President James Garfield.
Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)
After the assassination of President William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, at just under 43 years old, became the 26th and youngest leader in American history. He imbued the office with new energy and authority, guiding Congress and the American people toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy.
Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
Calvin Coolidge served as lieutenant governor and governor of Massachusetts before becoming Warren Harding’s running mate in 1920. He assumed the presidency in 1923 after Harding’s death. Coolidge was re-elected in 1924 with the slogan ‘Keep Cool with Coolidge’.
Harry S. Truman (1945-1953)
Chosen as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s running mate in 1944, Harry Truman became the 33rd President of the United States after Roosevelt’s death. Truman made some historic decisions, including the authorization of the atomic bombings of Japan.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969)
Lyndon B. Johnson was chosen as John F. Kennedy’s vice president during the 1960 election campaign. After Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963, Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States.
Richard M. Nixon (1969-1974)
Richard Nixon, who served as both a U.S. Representative and Senator from California, was elected the 37th President of the United States. He is known for ending US military intervention in Vietnam and improving diplomatic relations with the USSR and China.
Gerald R. Ford (1974-1977)
Gerald Ford, a veteran legislator from Michigan, became Richard Nixon’s vice president when Spiro Agnew resigned in 1973 amid corruption allegations. In August 1974, Ford ascended to the presidency after Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment.
George HW Bush (1989-1993)
George HW Bush, the 41st President of the United States, served two terms as Ronald Reagan’s Vice President. He won the 1988 presidential election against Democratic candidate Mike Dukakis. Bush played a key role in ending the Cold War and led the international coalition to withdraw Iraqi forces after the invasion of Kuwait.
Joe Biden (2020 to present)
Joe Biden ran for president twice before being selected as Barack Obama’s running mate in 2008. He chose not to run in 2016, due to the cancer-related death of his son Beau. Ultimately, Biden won the presidency in 2020.