[Hawthorn]

>> First major Party nominee to never have held any elected government office <<

Sure. The party that nominated D. W. Eisenhower, Wendle Wilkie and U. S. Grant was not “major” in any meaningful sense. Nor was the party that nominated Zachary Taylor.

[SamAdams76]

Though not an elected position, I would have to say that Dwight Eisenhower, in his various military roles, was definitely in the highest circles of politics. As Supreme Commander, he worked closely with world leaders like FDR, Churchill, Truman and others.

Ditto for U.S. Grant back in the 1860s who was the "Supreme Commander" of the Civil War.

I don't know much about Wendle Wilkie and Zachary Taylor. Maybe you have a point there.

[Jim from C-Town]

I stand corrected.

But on the bright side, at least 75% of them where elected President. Here is hoping the average is 80% come November.