United States Senate election in New York, 1837
Encyclopedia
The 1837 United States Senate election in New York was held on February 7, 1837, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator (Class 3) to represent the State of New York
in the United States Senate
.
who had been elected Governor of New York
. Wright's term would expire on March 3, 1837.
At the State election in November 1836, 94 Democrats and 34 Whigs were elected to the Assembly, and seven of the eight State Senators elected were Democrats. The 60th State Legislature met from January 3 to May 16, 1837, at Albany, New York
. The party strength in the Assembly as shown by the election for Speaker
was: 80 for Democrat Edward Livingston
and 27 for Whig Luther Bradish
.
.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
Background
Silas Wright, Jr., had been elected in 1833 to this seat after the resignation of William L. MarcyWilliam L. Marcy
William Learned Marcy was an American statesman, who served as U.S. Senator and the 11th Governor of New York, and as the U.S. Secretary of War and U.S. Secretary of State.-Early life:...
who had been elected Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
. Wright's term would expire on March 3, 1837.
At the State election in November 1836, 94 Democrats and 34 Whigs were elected to the Assembly, and seven of the eight State Senators elected were Democrats. The 60th State Legislature met from January 3 to May 16, 1837, at Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
. The party strength in the Assembly as shown by the election for Speaker
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
The Speaker of the New York State Assembly is the highest official in the New York State Assembly, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party....
was: 80 for Democrat Edward Livingston
Edward Livingston (speaker)
Edward Livingston was an American politician.-Life:He was the son of Philip Henry Livingston and Maria Livingston ....
and 27 for Whig Luther Bradish
Luther Bradish
Luther Bradish was an American lawyer and politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1839 to 1842.-Life:...
.
Candidates
The incumbent U.S. Senator Silas Wright, Jr., was re-nominated in a Democratic caucus by a large majority.Result
Silas Wright, Jr., was the choice of both the Assembly and the Senate, and was declared elected.| Office | House | Democrat | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senator | State Senate New York State Senate The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve... (32 members) |
Silas Wright, Jr. | 23 | others | 3 |
| State Assembly New York State Assembly The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652... (128 members) |
Silas Wright, Jr. | 86 | others | 27 | |
Aftermath
Wright continued in the U.S. Senate, was re-elected in 1843, and remained in office until November 1844 when he resigned after his election as Governor of New YorkGovernor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
.
Sources
- The New York Civil List compiled in 1858 (see: pg. 63 for U.S. Senators; pg. 131 for State Senators 1837; pg. 219f for Members of Assembly 1837)
- Members of the 25th United States Congress
- History of Political Parties in the State of New-York, Vol. II by Jabez Delano Hammond (State election, 1836: pg. 462; Speaker election, 1837: pg. 464; U.S. Senate election, 1837: pg. 465)
- Vote in Senate and Assembly: Niles Weekly Register (February 25, 1837, Vol. LI, whole number 1326; page 401)