How many members of Congress have gone on to the presidency?

Answer 1

Almost all the 19th Century ones. From James Madison through William McKinley (1809-1901), every President was a former member of Congress except Zachary Taylor, US Grant, Rutherford B Hayes, Chester Arthur and Grover Cleveland. Polk was a former Speaker of the House. In the early 20th Century, this got far less common. From 1901 to 1945, only one President, Warren G Harding, had served in either House of Congress. Since then, it has become fashionable again, with Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and GHW Bush all having served in one or other Chamber. By my count that makes 23 Presidents who had previously served in the US House, Senate or both . However, prior to adoption of the Constitution, Washington, Adams and Jefferson had all served in the Continental Congress, which would increase the number to 26. JQ Adams served in the House of Representatives after leaving the Presidency, as also did Andrew Johnson in the Senate.