Date(s) June 7, 1848 Votes needed for nomination 143 | Total delegates 280 | |
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City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Presidential nominee Zachary Taylor of Louisiana Vice Presidential nominee Millard Fillmore of New York | ||
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.
Whig candidates