9 U.S. Politicians Who Served as Classroom Teachers Before Entering Congress
Discover 9 U.S. politicians who taught in public classrooms before entering Congress, from Lyndon Johnson to Elizabeth Warren and Tim Walz.
Mara Cojocaru
Mara Cojocaru edits the Politicians section of Today on Politics, covering the senators, governors, vice presidents and activists who shaped American public life. Mara checks careers, votes and dates against the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress and the Senate and House historical offices.
32 stories
Mara Cojocaru stories
8 Convention Keynote Speeches That Launched National Political Careers
Discover 8 convention keynote speeches that launched national political careers, from Alben Barkley and Barbara Jordan to Barack Obama and Angela Alsobrooks.
8 Facts About the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence—and What Happened to Them After 1776
Discover documented facts about the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, disproving viral myths about their wartime captures, fortunes, and fates.
7 Politicians Who Served as Governor of One State and Representing Another in Congress (Wait—Sam Houston Isn’t the Only One)
Discover the 7 politicians who served as governor of one state and represented another in Congress, from Sam Houston to Mitt Romney.…
7 Members of Congress Who Previously Served as U.S. Ambassadors Abroad
Discover 7 notable Members of Congress who served as U.S. ambassadors abroad before winning election to Capitol Hill, from John Quincy Adams…
7 Defeated Presidential Candidates Whose Ideas Were Adopted by the Winners anyway
Discover 7 defeated presidential candidates whose core platform ideas were later adopted and signed into law by winning administrations.
8 Influential Committee Chairs Who Wielded More Power Than Party Leaders
Explore 8 historic congressional committee chairs who held more legislative power than party leaders before procedural reforms curbed their autonomy.
9 Facts About Abraham Lincoln’s Only Term in the U.S. House of Representatives (1847–1849)
Explore 9 essential facts about Abraham Lincoln's single term in the U.S. House of Representatives (1847–1849), from the Spot Resolutions to his…
8 African American Lawmakers Who Served in Congress During Reconstruction (1870–1901)
Explore the legislative records of 8 African American Reconstruction lawmakers who served in the U.S. Congress between 1870 and 1901.
7 U.S. Presidents Who Served in the House or Senate AFTER Leaving the White House (Wait—Only Two Did)
Only two U.S. presidents served in Congress after leaving the White House. Explore the full record, election tallies, and post-presidential officeholding myths.