Which of the following presidents never held a political position prior to being elected president?

Five U.S. presidents have never been elected to public office before becoming president: Zachary Taylor, Ulysses S. Grant, Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Donald Trump.

Zachary Taylor, the 12th president of U.S., was a wealthy slave owner who held property in the states of Louisiana, Kentucky, and Mississippi. During his time in office, he died only sixteen months after his election, his presidency foundered over the question of whether the nation should permit the spread of slavery to the present-day states of California, New Mexico, and Utah.

Taylor joined the U. S. Army in 1808 becoming a career officer. He was a national hero after winning impressive victories in the war with Mexico. President James K. Polk sent an army under Taylor's command to the Rio Grande in 1846. When the Mexicans attacked Taylor’s troops, he defeated them despite being outnumbered 4-to-1. However, disturbed by Taylor’s association with the Whig Party and his “seat of the pants” style of military leadership, President Polk kept Taylor in northern Mexico, sending instead General Winfield Scott to capture Mexico City.

Zachary Taylor was the most popular hero of the Mexican-American War. In 1848, he was granted the Whig Party nomination for president. His status as a national hero coupled with his homespun ways proved to be political assets. His impact however as president did little, if anything to slow the approach of the Civil War.