It’s a fascinating question in American presidential history: How many presidents have actually served two terms in office, but not back-to-back? While the two-term presidency is a well-known aspect of the office, thanks in part to the 22nd Amendment, the specific scenario of non-consecutive terms is much rarer. In fact, throughout the long history of the United States, only one president has achieved this unique distinction.
That president is Grover Cleveland.
Yes, just one. Stephen Grover Cleveland served as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. He won his first term in 1884 and served from 1885 to 1889. He then lost his bid for re-election in 1888 to Benjamin Harrison. However, Cleveland didn’t disappear from the political scene. He ran again in 1892 and won, serving his second term from 1893 to 1897. This makes him the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms. Because of this unique situation, he is counted as both the 22nd and 24th president, with Benjamin Harrison slotted in as the 23rd president in between Cleveland’s terms.
Why is it so rare? The American political system, while allowing for the possibility of a president returning to office after a break, presents significant hurdles. Losing a presidential election often marks a major turning point in a politician’s career. The momentum shifts, and the political landscape can change dramatically in just four years. For a former president to successfully regain the presidency requires a unique set of circumstances, including continued public appeal, shifts in national sentiment, and often, a weakness in the incumbent party or president.
While other presidents have served two terms, they have all been consecutive. Figures like Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, and later, Woodrow Wilson, all served two back-to-back terms, solidifying their legacies within an unbroken period in office. Woodrow Wilson, for example, served two consecutive terms during a pivotal time in world history, leading the United States through World War I and advocating for the League of Nations.
Wilson’s presidency (1913-1921) is a study in contrasts. Domestically, he ushered in significant reforms, including the establishment of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission. As the original article mentions, his “New Freedom” platform aimed to promote individualism and states’ rights, while also enacting key labor laws. However, his second term was largely dominated by World War I and its aftermath. Despite his efforts to build a lasting peace through the League of Nations, he faced setbacks at home with the Senate’s rejection of the Versailles Treaty. His legacy is complex, marked by both progressive reforms and the immense challenges of wartime leadership and peacemaking. Regardless, his two terms were served consecutively, unlike Cleveland’s.
The rarity of non-consecutive terms underscores the demanding nature of the American presidency and the political dynamics that make regaining the office after a loss an exceptional feat. Grover Cleveland remains the sole example, a unique figure in presidential history who navigated the challenges of winning, losing, and then winning the nation’s highest office once again.
