Is Trump the first major party candidate not to have worked in any branch of the government?

Maybe 200 years ago there were some?

While we’re at it, it bears mentioning that one political party in the current race is running two candidates who EACH have executive experience running state governments, something that neither of the “major parties” will be able to claim in this election.

So maybe the Libertarian Party can break the 5% barrier this time – but they still won’t be invited to debates, I suppose.

@CWOTUS

And one who’s executive experience running a state government was simply to privatize everything.

Ronald Reagan was an actor, but served as Gov of California. Does that count.

Yes, governor certainly counts. There are several presidents that were previously governors.

Yes, if you count only the successful candidates for President and include military service.

If that is the case, I am surprised that neither side has brought this up. Trump could boast about how revolutionary his candidacy is and Clinton could say how ill suited he is for the presidency.

Can you name any unsuccessful presidential candidates from a major political party who never served in government? Before the Republican party, major party might include Whigs or Federalists.