Born in Cove Gap , Pennsylvania , Buchanan became a prominent lawyer and won election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Federalist . In 1820 , he won election to the United States House of Representatives , aligning with Andrew Jackson 's Democratic Party . He served as Jackson 's Minister to Russia , then won election as a senator from Pennsylvania . In 1845 , he accepted appointment as President James K. Polk 's Secretary of State . He was a major contender for his party 's presidential nomination throughout the 1840s and 1850s and was finally nominated in 1856 , defeating incumbent President Franklin Pierce and Senator Stephen A. Douglas at the 1856 Democratic National Convention . Buchanan and running mate John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky defeated Republican John C. Frémont and Know-Nothing Millard Fillmore to win the 1856 election
1856 Democratic National Convention
1856 Democratic National Convention
James Buchanan