Harding began his four years as a state senator as a political unknown ; he ended them as one of the most popular figures in the Ohio Republican Party . He always appeared calm and displayed humility , characteristics that endeared him to fellow Republicans even as he passed them in his political rise . Legislative leaders consulted him on difficult problems . It was usual at that time for state senators in Ohio to serve only one term , but Harding gained renomination in 1901 . After the assassination of McKinley in September ( he was succeeded by Vice President Theodore Roosevelt ) , much of the appetite for politics was temporarily lost in Ohio . In November , Harding won a second term , more than doubling his margin of victory to 3,563 votes
assassination of McKinley
Assassination of William McKinley
Warren G. Harding