After his switch to the GOP, Harlan ran several unsuccessful campaigns for office, first for Kentucky governor in 1871, for U.S. Senate in 1872, and for governor again in 1875.<ref name="ANB"/> Despite this, he was rising in political stature, having been widely speculated to be chosen as Grant's running mate in 1872, and being offered the position of U.S. Ambassador to England in 1877 by president [[Rutherford B. Hayes]], whom Harlan had been instrumental in helping to become president.<ref name="ANB"/> Harlan rejected the latter offer in exchange for a nomination to the vacant Supreme Court seat.<ref name="ANB"/> | After his switch to the GOP, Harlan ran several unsuccessful campaigns for office, first for Kentucky governor in 1871, for U.S. Senate in 1872, and for governor again in 1875.<ref name="ANB"/> Despite this, he was rising in political stature, having been widely speculated to be chosen as Grant's running mate in 1872, and being offered the position of U.S. Ambassador to England in 1877 by president [[Rutherford B. Hayes]], whom Harlan had been instrumental in helping to become president.<ref name="ANB"/> Harlan rejected the latter offer in exchange for a nomination to the vacant Supreme Court seat.<ref name="ANB"/> |