1848 Whig National Convention

1848 Whig National Convention
1848 Presidential Election

Nominees
Taylor and Fillmore
Convention
Date(s) June 7, 1848
City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Candidates
Presidential nominee Zachary Taylor (LA)
Vice Presidential nominee Millard Fillmore (NY)
Voting
Total delegates 280
Votes needed for nomination 143
Results (President) Taylor (LA): 171 (61.07%)
Scott (NY): 63 (22.5%)
Clay (KY): 32 (11.43%)
Webster (MA): 14 (5%)
Ballots 4

The 1848 Whig National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Whig Party. The convention was held in Philadelphia. War hero Zachary Taylor, a major general from Louisiana with no political background, was nominated as the party's candidate for President. Former New York Representative Millard Fillmore was nominated for Vice President. They won the 1848 presidential election, defeating the Democratic candidates Lewis Cass and William O. Butler.

The Convention

The convention was quick, convening for only a day on June 7. Taylor had been courted by both the Democrats and the Whigs. Taylor ultimately declared himself a Whig. When delegates met in Philadelphia, Taylor secured 171 votes and won the presidential nomination on the fourth ballot. Former New York Representative Millard Fillmore was chosen as the vice presidential candidate on the second ballot.

Several well-known political figures challenged Taylor for the nomination but failed to win enough votes at the convention. Henry Clay, Winfield Scott, and Daniel Webster all sought the nomination. Webster was offered the vice presidential spot on the ticket, but declined.

Results

Candidates
Name Zachary Taylor Henry Clay Winfield Scott Daniel Webster John Middleton Clayton John McLean
Party Whig Whig Whig Whig Whig Whig
Certified Votes 171 (47.63%) 97 (27.02) 63 (17.55%) 22 (6.13) 4 (1.11%) 2 (0.56%)
Margin 0 (0.00%) -74 (-20.61%) -108 (-30.08%) -149 (-41.50%) -167 (-46.52%) -169 (-47.08%)

References