In the United States of America presidential election of 1976, Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter won the election with a victory margin of just over 2%.
Democratic presidential candidate, Jimmy Carter won a closely contested race. His campaign was helped by the Watergate Scandal and consequent resignation of Richard Nixon.

1976 Presidential Election Results

Gerald Ford	Republican Party
Jimmy Carter	Democratic Party

Political situation during election of 1976:

1. First election after the Watergate Scandal.
2. Weak US Economy.
3. Cold War Continues.

Close States (margin<6%):

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

Population by Race for the United States : Year 1970

Presidential Candidates for the Election of 1976 :

Biography of Gerald R Ford (Republican party presidential candidate):

OCCUPATION: President of the United States.
EDUCATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Public. Schools, Grand Rapids, Michigan; U. of Michigan, A.R, 1935; L.L.R, Yale. Law School, 1941. Elected to the United States House of Representatives from Michigan's Fifth Congressional District for 13 consecutive biennial terms, 19.48-1972. Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, .1965-73. President of the United States, August 9, 1974-present.

Biography of Jimmy Carter (Democratic party presidential candidate):

Born: October 1, 1924 Age 51.
Education: Graduated from U. S. Naval Academy, Graduate study in Nuclear Physics.
Career: Served under Admiral Hyman Rickover in atomic submarine development program, returned to hometown of Plains, Georgia in 1953 to run the family seed and fertilizer business; elected to Georgia State Senate in 1962; elected Governor of Georgia in 1970.
The Carter family: Wife, Rosalynn, 3 sons, Jack (28), Chip (25), Jeff (23), and Amy (8).