Of the 43 previous presidents , 38 had held prior elective office , two had not held elective office .
Of the 43 previous presidents , 38 had served in the Cabinet , and three had never held public office but had been commanding generals .
Of the 43 previous presidents , 38 had held prior elective office , two had not held elective office but had served in the Cabinet , and three had never held public office but had been commanding generals .