Senator Henry M. Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination twice, in 1972 and 1976, but was defeated both times. In 1972, North Dakota Senator George McGovern won the Democratic ticket over Jackson and Alabama Governor George C. Wallace but lost the presidential race to Richard Nixon.
In 1976, Jackson waged a strong campaign against former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, but it was not strong enough to defeat Carter. On May 1, 1976, Jackson announced that he was pulling out of the race. Carter went on to defeat President Gerald Ford and become the 39th president.