10 Americans Who Nearly Became President

From nail-biting elections to would-be assassinations, American history is full of presidential what-ifs.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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This story explores 10 notable examples of Americans who came close to becoming president, but ultimately did not assume the nation's highest office for a variety of reasons, including narrow election losses, vice presidents who would have assumed the presidency, and potential assassinations.

Why it matters

Understanding the close calls and near misses in American presidential history provides insight into how the course of the country could have been altered by different leaders and how the presidency is often decided by small margins in key states.

The details

The article highlights examples such as Robert F. Kennedy and Al Gore, who both came close to reaching the presidency but ultimately fell short. It also mentions other notable figures like Richard Nixon, who resigned the presidency, and the four presidents who were assassinated while in office.

  • This story was published on February 16, 2026.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy

A former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate who was assassinated in 1968 while running for the Democratic nomination.

Al Gore

A former U.S. Vice President who narrowly lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush.

Richard Nixon

A former U.S. President who resigned from office in 1974 amid the Watergate scandal.

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The takeaway

This story highlights the unpredictable and often narrow nature of presidential elections, underscoring how small margins in key states can determine the course of American history and leadership.