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The last time this happened was when Franklin Pierce left office and James Buchanan was inaugurated on March 4, 1857.Both men were Democrats, and Pierce was very much alive when his successor took office.Since then, Democrats have certainly succeeded other Democrats, but never under those exact circumstances.Andrew Johnson succeeded Abraham Lincoln after Lincoln's assassination, but Lincoln was a Republican and Johnson had been a Democrat running on the National Union ticket. Harry Truman succeeded Franklin D.Roosevelt after Roosevelt died in office. Lyndon B.Johnson succeeded John F. Kennedy following Kennedy's assassination.When Democrats have completed their terms alive, their party has repeatedly failed to retain the presidency.Woodrow Wilson was followed by Republican Warren G.Harding. Truman was followed by Dwight Eisenhower.Jimmy Carter lost to Ronald Reagan. Bill Clinton was followed by George W. Bush. Barack Obama was followed by Donald Trump. Joe Biden was then followed by Trump in 2025 after Kamala Harris lost the 2024 election.That makes the Pierce-to-Buchanan transition an extraordinary political streak stretching back nearly 170 years.Added Fact: Pierce actually sought another term in 1856, but his own party declined to renominate him.