Below is a list of major party United States presidential candidates who lost their birth or resident states. While many successful candidates have won the presidency without winning their birth state, only four (James K. Polk, Woodrow Wilson, Richard Nixon and Donald Trump) have won election despite losing their state of residence. Nixon, a lifelong Californian, had taken residence in New York after his failed run for governor of California, but later switched back during his presidency and ahead of his reelection. Candidates who won the election Candidates who lost the election Only candidates who won at least one state (not necessarily their birth or resident state) in the general election are listed here. Candidates who lost the home states of their running mates In 1796, John Adams lost South Carolina, the home state of his running mate Thomas Pinckney. Thomas Jefferson lost New York, the home state of his running mate Aaron Burr as well as Burr's birth state of New Jersey. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson lost New Jersey, the birth state of his running mate Aaron Burr. John Adams lost South Carolina, the home state of his running mate Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. In 1804, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney lost New York, the home state of his running mate Rufus King, as well as King's birth state of Massachusetts. In 1808, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney lost New York, the home state of his running mate Rufus King. In 1812, James Madison lost Massachusetts, the home state of his running mate Elbridge Gerry. DeWitt Clinton lost Pennsylvania, the home state of his running mate Jared Ingersoll. In 1816, Rufus King lost Maryland, the home state of his running mate John Eager Howard. In 1824, John Quincy Adams lost South Carolina, the home state of his running mate John C. Calhoun. Henry Clay lost New York, the home state of his running mate Nathan Sanford. William H. Crawford lost North Carolina, the home state of his running mate Nathaniel Macon. In 1828, John Quincy Adams lost Pennsylvania, the home state of his running mate Richard Rush. In 1832, Henry Clay lost Pennsylvania, the home state of his running mate John Sergeant. William Wirt lost Pennsylvania, the home state of his running mate Amos Ellmaker. John Floyd lost Massachusetts, the home state of his running mate Henry Lee. In 1836, Martin Van Buren lost Kentucky, the home state of his running mate Richard Mentor