We liked IKE because he looked like our father should look.
We liked JFK for his looks.
We liked Reagan for his looks.
We liked Bill for his looks.
We liked Obama for his looks.
Even Trump looked better than Hillary or Kamala.
The same is true of most congress critters, state politicians, mayors and local politicians.
When a primary, or final, is 51% vs 49% every 2% counts. 2% on looks, 2% on race/ethnicity (Irish is best in most areas), 2% on taxes, 2% on guns, 2% on life, 2% on this, 2% on that.
My mother a big time Republican, worked in state & local GOP politics from Eisenhower election to the Obama election. She was very serious about it. I always pointed out to her it was strange that it was always the handsomest candidate she favored. She would then get mad at me and tell me it isn’t true!