He won primaries in several states, but eventually lost the nomination to incumbent president Gerald Ford at the 1976 Republican National Convention.

When Time in November 1975 discussed possible running mates for incumbent President of the United States Gerald Ford, among them was Ronald Reagan.

The magazine stated that the former Governor of California was the favorite of conservatives but "could enter a different race altogether", referring to possibly challenging Ford for the party's presidential nomination in 1976.

[15] The Texas campaign lent renewed hope to Reagan, when he swept all 96 delegates chosen in the May 1 primary, with four more awaiting at the state convention.

Much of the credit for that victory came from the work of three co-chairmen, including Ernest Angelo, the mayor of Midland, and Ray Barnhart of Houston, whom Reagan as president would appoint in 1981 as director of the Federal Highway Administration.

[citation needed] Reagan campaigned for Ford in twenty states against the Democratic nominee, Jimmy Carter, who would win the general election.