Jimmy Carter Succeeded Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter became president after Gerald Ford. Carter, a Democrat and former governor of Georgia, won the 1976 presidential election and took office on January 20, 1977.
Gerald Ford's Path to the Presidency
Gerald Ford became president in 1974 after Richard Nixon resigned. Ford had been vice president since 1973 and was the first president never elected to the office of vice president or president.
Why Ford Lost the 1976 Election
Ford lost to Jimmy Carter amid economic challenges and fallout from the Watergate scandal. Voters favored Carter's message of change, and Ford's pardon of Nixon remained a key campaign issue.
Key Facts About the Ford-to-Carter Transition
The transition marked the end of the post-Watergate era and a shift in White House leadership. Ford left office with a record low approval rating, while Carter promised a new approach to Washington.
