U.S. Representatives Who Became President
Nineteen U.S. House of Representatives members have served as President of the United States. James A. Garfield remains the only sitting House member directly elected President. One of the most prominent examples is James Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," who served in the House before becoming the fourth President of the United States. Another significant figure is Abraham Lincoln, who served a single term in the House representing Illinois before rising to national prominence and being elected the 16th president.
These leaders' time in the House helped shape their political ideologies and legislative acumen. For example, Gerald Ford served for decades in the House, including as Minority Leader, before becoming Vice President and later ascending to the presidency following Richard Nixon's resignation. Although not the most common path, the House has occasionally served as a foundational step for future presidents who distinguished themselves through leadership, policy expertise, and national visibility.
James Madison
4th President of the United States
James Madison was the 4th President of the United States, serving from 1809 to 1813. Madison served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 to 1797.
John Tyler
10th President of the United States
John Tyler was the 10th President of the United States, serving from 1841 to 1845. Tyler served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1816 to 1821.
James Buchanan
15th President of the United States
James Buchanan was the 15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. Buchanan served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1821 to 1831.
James A. Garfield
20th President of the United States
James A. Garfield was the 20th President of the United States, serving in 1881. Garfield served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1863 to 1880.
Richard Nixon
37th President of the United States
Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1973. Nixon served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1947 to 1950.
John Quincy Adams
6th President of the United States
John Quincy Adams was the 6th President of the United States, serving from 1825 to 1829. Adams served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1831 to 1848.
James K. Polk
11th President of the United States
James K. Polk was the 11th President of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. Polk served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1825 to 1839.
Abraham Lincoln
16th President of the United States
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 to 1865. Lincoln served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849.
William McKinley
25th President of the United States
William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States, serving from 1897 to 1901. McKinley served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1877 to 1883, and 1885 to 1891.
Gerald Ford
38th President of the United States
Gerald Ford was the 38th President of the United States, serving in 1974 to 1977. Ford served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1949 to 1973.
Andrew Jackson
7th President of the United States
Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the United States, serving from 1829 to 1833. Jackson served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1796 to 1797.
Millard Fillmore
13th President of the United States
Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States, serving from 1850 to 1853. Fillmore served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1833 to 1835, and 1837 to 1843.
Andrew Johnson
17th President of the United States
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States, serving from 1865 to 1869. Johnson served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1843 to 1853.
John F. Kennedy
35th President of the United States
John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 to 1963. Kennedy served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1947 to 1953.
George H.W. Bush
41st President of the United States
George H.W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States, serving from 1989 to 1993. Bush served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971.
William Henry Harrison
9th President of the United States
William Henry Harrison was the 9th President of the United States, serving in 1841. Harrison served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1816 to 1819.
Franklin Pierce
14th President of the United States
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857. Pierce served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1833 to 1837.
Rutherford B. Hayes
19th President of the United States
Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th President of the United States, serving from 1877 to 1881. Hayes served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1866 to 1867.
Lyndon B. Johnson
36th President of the United States
Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963 to 1965. Johnson served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1937 to 1949.