This Will Be the First Presidential Election Since 1976 Without a Bush, Clinton or Biden on the Ballot

The United States has had its fair share of political dynasties throughout the country’s history, like the Adamses, Roosevelts and Kennedys, to name a few — but for the last half-century, three families in particular have dominated White House politics.

A member of the Bush, Clinton or Biden family has appeared on every general election ballot since 1980. Joe Biden's decision to bow out of the 2024 presidential race marks the first time in 48 years that one of those three families won't be represented on a White House ticket, as Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are set to lead their respective parties into November.

George H.W. Bush started the streak as Ronald Reagan’s running mate in 1980, and he was on the ticket again in 1984 when Reagan ran for reelection. He was then the Republican nominee for president in 1988 and 1992.

When Bush Sr. ran for reelection in 1992, he was defeated by Democratic challenger Bill Clinton. Clinton appeared on the Democratic ticket again in 1996.

Bush Sr.'s son, George W. Bush, carried on his father's legacy in 2000 and 2004, securing the presidency twice. Biden entered the mix as Barack Obama’s choice for vice president in 2008, and was reelected in 2012.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton — Bill Clinton's wife — made history as the first woman to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.

Four years later, Biden ran for president in the 2020 election. 

Although Harris’ 2024 pick for vice president remains unknown, it is unlikely a member of these three families will appear alongside her on the ballot, breaking tradition for the first time in almost 50 years.

Here is a breakdown of the last 13 presidential elections: 

• 1976 — Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford
• 1980 — Ronald Reagan with George H.W. Bush as vice president
• 1984 — Ronald Reagan with George H.W. Bush as vice president
• 1988 — George H.W. Bush as the Republican nominee 
• 1992 — George H.W. Bush as the Republican nominee and Bill Clinton as the Democratic nominee 
• 1996 — Bill Clinton as the Democratic nominee 
• 2000 — George W. Bush as the Republican nominee
• 2004 — George W. Bush as the Republican nominee
• 2008 — Barack Obama with Joe Biden as vice president
• 2012 — Barack Obama with Joe Biden as vice president
• 2016 — Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee 
• 2020 — Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee