When New York was the most populous and economically dominant state in the 19th and much of the 20th century, it was natural its governors would be quadrennial contenders for the presidency.

The Empire State sent four of its governors on to the White House (Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt) but supplied nominees or serious contenders in numerous other cycles (Samuel Tilden, Al Smith, Tom Dewey, Averell Harriman and Nelson Rockefeller, to name a few).

After California became the most populous and prosperous state in the early 1960s, it was expected its governors would become top contenders for the Oval Office every four years.

But so far California has only sent Ronald Reagan from Sacramento to the White House.

Other Golden State governors wh

See Full Page