Jimmy Carter, whose popularity had plummeted since taking office, found himself facing a strong primary challenger in Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy. It was little surprise that Kennedy, carrying the torch of his two martyred brothers, would trounce the beleagered incumbent in Massachusetts, though he had a harder time in other states, and ultimately withdrew at the convention. Carter's difficulty in securing Kennedy supporters during the general election campaign was one of the causes that led to his defeat in November to Republican Ronald Reagan.