The Presidential Election 1832

The election of 1832 saw Andrew Jackson opposed by Republican Henry Clay, in his second bid for presidency, and William Wirt, candidate for the Anti-Masonic party. The first ‘third-party’ election, this was also the first time that candidates were chosen by national nominating conventions, rather than congressional caucus or state legislatures. Clay chose John Sargeant as his running mate, while Jackson chose Martin Van Buren (his previous vice president John C. Calhoun had resigned). The Anti-Masonic party had little influence outside New York State but they did attract a portion of voters who opposed Jackson, thus weakening Clay. John Floyd, an independent candidate, received South Carolina’s eleven electoral votes. Jackson won in a landslide victory and began a second term in office.