1960 presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy , then United States Senator from Massachusetts , began on January 2 , 1960 , when Kennedy formally announced his candidacy for 35th President of the United States , replacing incumbent President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower . Kennedy was nominated by the Democratic Party at the Democratic National Convention of 1960 , taking place between July 11 and July 15 , 1960 . On July 15 , 1960 , Kennedy named Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas as his official running mate . Kennedy and Johnson won the election on November 8 , 1960 , defeating incumbent Vice President and Republican nominee Richard Nixon , who would later go on to be the 37th President of the United States . Kennedy and Johnson were sworn in as 35th President and 37th Vice President of the United States on January 20 , 1961 respectively . Kennedy would serve as President of the United States until his death in November 1963
his death
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy 1960 presidential campaign