Who is James K. Polk?” his opponents in the 1844 presidential election mockingly asked. Two centuries later, the question is ...

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 ...

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 ...