Presidential election
1848 presidential election
Zachary Taylor defeated Lewis Cass, winning 163 of 290 electoral votes and 47.3% of the popular vote.
Results
72.7%
Turnout rate
2.9M
Total votes cast
3.5M
Eligible voters
| State | Electoral votes | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York(NY) | 36 | WhigTaylor | +1.3% |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 26 | WhigTaylor | +3.6% |
| Ohio(OH) | 23 | WhigTaylor | +4.7% |
| Virginia(VA) | 17 | DemocraticCass | +2.4% |
| Georgia(GA) | 10 | WhigTaylor | +4.1% |
Candidates
Party
WhigRunning mate
Millard Fillmore
Home state
Louisiana
Age at election
63
Previous position
Major General, U.S. Army (Mexican-American War hero)
Campaign slogan
"Old Rough and Ready"
Popular vote
1.4M
(47.3%)
Electoral votes
163
Party
DemocraticRunning mate
William O. Butler
Home state
Michigan
Age at election
65
Previous position
U.S. Senator from Michigan
Campaign slogan
"Popular Sovereignty"
Popular vote
1.2M
(42.5%)
Electoral votes
127
Party
Free SoilRunning mate
Charles Francis Adams
Home state
New York
Age at election
65
Previous position
8th President of the United States
Popular vote
291.5K
(10.1%)
Electoral votes
0
Northern States
Taylor
47%
Southern States
Taylor
50%
Key events
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Ended Mexican-American War, adding vast Western territories
Free Soil Convention
Anti-slavery Democrats and Whigs formed third party
Issues & context
First election after Mexican-American War added huge territories. Question of slavery expansion dominated. Taylor, a slaveholder, was vague on slavery issue. Van Buren's Free Soil run split anti-slavery vote.
Post-war economy. California Gold Rush began (1848). Rapid western migration. Expanding railroad network. Rising land speculation.
Polk (Democrat) kept pledge not to seek reelection. Democrats chose Cass who promoted 'popular sovereignty.' Taylor's war hero status overcame lack of political experience.
Taylor died 16 months into term. Free Soil Party launched anti-slavery political movement. Slavery issue could no longer be avoided. Led to Compromise of 1850 debates.
Did you know?
- 1.Taylor never voted before becoming president
- 2.He was a slaveholder but opposed expansion of slavery to new territories
- 3.First president to die in office from natural causes
- 4.Van Buren's run helped elect Taylor by splitting Democratic vote in New York
- 5.Taylor had never held elected office before