The 1976 United States Presidential Election was held on November 2, 1976. The main candidates were Jimmy Carter, the Democratic nominee and former Governor of Georgia, and Gerald Ford, the Republican incumbent President. This election followed the Watergate scandal, which significantly impacted public trust in government. Jimmy Carter won the election with 297 electoral votes, while Gerald Ford received 240 electoral votes. Carter's campaign focused on restoring integrity to the presidency and addressing economic issues. The election marked a shift in political power, as it was the first time since 1964 that a Democrat won the presidency.