the in Congress Loses Cachet as Preparation for the Presidency Better preparation.or presidency, experience as
When it comes to the sort of background Americans say they want to see in presidential candidates, governing at the state level is seen more positively than extensive Washington experience. In a 2014 Pew Research Center survey, 30% said they’d be less likely to support a candidate with “many years” of experience as an elected official in Washington, while 19% would be more likely to support such a candidate. The same survey found that 33% would be more likely to support a candidate who had served as a governor, versus just 5% who said they’d be less likely. (We didn’t ask about Cabinet members.)
A separate measure found that congressional service has lost ground to gubernatorial experience in terms of which is perceived as better preparation for the presidency. As recently as 2007, more than twice as many people said serving in Congress was better preparation than being a state’s governor; last year, both options were tied.
the in Congress Loses Cachet as  | Preparation for the Presidency  | Better preparation.or presidency, experience as  | Member of Congress  | 66  | 56  | 55  | 52  | 44  | 30  | 24  | 20  | 22  | State Governor  | 87  | 99  | 03  | 07  | Survev conducted April 23-27 2014.  | Don tknow responses not shown.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 