Barack Obama began his political career as an Illinois state legislator from 1997 to 2004, after being elected to the state senate in 1996 and re-elected in 1998 and 2002. He then served as a U.S. senator from 2005 until his presidential election in 2008, where he emphasized issues like ending the Iraq War and providing universal health care. Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States on January 20, 2009.

1. Barack Obama

3. Political career: 1996–2008

4. State legislator: 1997–2004 Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1996 in 1998 and 2002 he was reelected again

5. resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate

6. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign Obama received 70%

7. U.S. Senator: 2005–2008 Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 4, 2005

9. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees for: Foreign Relations; Environment and Public Works; Veterans' Affairs Health; Education; Labor and Pensions; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; European Affairs.

10. 2008 presidential campaign Emphasis: ending the Iraq War, increasing energy independence providing universal health care

13. Presidency The inauguration of Barack Obama as the forty-fourth President took place on January 20, 2009