1831 United States Senate election in New York

Background

Nathan Sanford had been elected in 1826 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1831.

At the State election in November 1830, the Jacksonian Democrats managed to defeat the combined Anti-Masons and National Republicans. Enos T. Throop was narrowly re-elected Governor, a large Jacksonian-Democratic majority was elected to the assembly, and five of the nine state senators elected were Jacksonian Democrats. The 54th New York State Legislature met from January 4 to April 26, 1831, at Albany, New York. The party strength in the assembly as shown by the election for Speaker was: 91 for Jacksonian Democrat George R. Davis and 30 for Anti-Mason John C. Spencer.

Candidates

The Jacksonian Democratic State legislators held a caucus before the election, and nominated New York Supreme Court Justice William L. Marcy. The vote was 77 for Marcy, 15 for Erastus Root, 6 for the incumbent Nathan Sanford and 6 scattering votes.

Result

William L. Marcy was the choice of both the Assembly and the Senate, and was declared elected.

Aftermath

Marcy resigned his seat on January 1, 1833, upon taking office as Governor of New York. The State Legislature held a special election to fill the vacancy in January 1833, and elected Silas Wright, Jr.

Sources

• The New York Civil List compiled in 1858 (see: pg. 63 for U.S. Senators; pg. 128f for state senators 1831; pg. 210f for Members of Assembly 1831)
• Members of the 22nd United States Congress
• History of Political Parties in the State of New-York, Vol. II by Jabez Delano Hammond (State election, 1830: pg. 336ff; Speaker election, 1831: pg. 343; U.S. Senate election, 1831: pg. 346f)
• Niles' Register (February 12, 1831; page 427)
• Journal of the Assembly, 54th Session (pg. 178f)
• Journal of the State Senate, 54th Session (pg. 90)