Winning the office

[Bushwhacker]

Talking about presidential candidates from last Presidential elections, I found the following sentence (all this is said before the Elections):

"And then, of course, there's always the candidate who hasn't entered the race yet, but who won the office back in 2000"

Please, what's the meaning of "won the office."?

Thank You

[Anglika]

Whatever he/she was doing in 2000 pleased the voters enough to lead them to vote the candidate into office subsequently.

[Bushwhacker]

Whatever he/she was doing in 2000 pleased the voters enough to lead them to vote the candidate into office subsequently.

Excuse my ignorance, but when you say "into office" do you mean voters wanted he/she to be in the presidential race?

Thank You

[Anglika]

Rather more specific - they want that person elected as President.