Yes, Pierce sought to run again for president but he could not win the nomination for the election of 1856. The three main contenders were Pierce, James Buchanan, and Stephen Douglas. Buchanan and Douglas were leading contenders for the nomination in 1852, when Pierce emerged as the dark horse candidate who won the nomination. This time, Buchanan emerged as the front-runner and eventually captured the nomination—and later the presidency. Pierce never again ran for the presidency, though supporters urged him to run in 1860 and 1864.