In 1844, James K. Polk became the first dark horse candidate to win the presidency, beating Henry Clay. Polk promised that he would be a one-term president. Challenges: James K. Polk was an avowed ...

Born: November 2, 1795, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina... James K. Polk, the original "dark horse" candidate, laid out his foreign policy and domestic aims early, achieved them in one term ...

President James K. Polk. “Young Hickory,” as he was known after he defeated a political adversary of Andrew Jackson in a Tennessee congressional race, lacked the charisma or eloquence of other ...