alternatehistory.com

On July 8th, 1975, President Ford announced to the nation that he would be a candidate for President in the 1976 Presidential election. Ford says he runs with strong support from friends and family, that he will keep his campaign from becoming partisan, and that the office of the Presidency will remain his first duty. Meanwhile, former California Governor Ronald Reagan, who had been critical of the President from the right wing of the Republican Party, had yet to announce his candidacy for President, despite movements from Conservatives to draft him.

Polling taken two days after the announcement by the President showed him only narrowly leading Governor Reagan by a 49-47% lead among Republican voters. In a head to head match up with Senator Kennedy, Ford trailed Kennedy by a 56%-41% margin. Reagan fared worse against Kennedy, losing by 58-39%.