August 1798 United States Senate special election in New York explained

Election Name:August 1798 United States Senate special election in New York
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:No
Country:New York
Previous Election:January 1798 United States Senate special election in New York
Previous Year:January 1798
Next Election:April 1800 United States Senate special election in New York
Next Year:April 1800
Image1:JamesWatsonCongress.jpg
Image1 Size:x150px
Nominee1:James Watson
Party1:Federalist Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:30 (Senate)
57 (Assembly)
Nominee2:John Tayler
Image2 Size:x150px
Party2:Democratic-Republican Party
Popular Vote2:9 (Senate)
48 (Assembly)
Percentage1:69.77% (Senate)
52.78% (Assembly)
Percentage2:20.93% (Senate)
44.44% (Assembly)
Before Election:William North
After Election:James Watson
Before Party:Federalist
Senator
After Party:Federalist
Vote Type:Leg.

The second 1798 United States Senate special election in New York was held on August 17, 1798, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator (Class 1) to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.

Background

Federalist John Sloss Hobart had been elected in January 1798 for the remainder of Philip Schuyler's term (1797–1803) but had resigned on April 16 after his appointment to the United States District Court for the District of New York. Federalist William North was appointed by Governor John Jay to fill the vacancy temporarily, and took his seat on May 21, Congress being in session until July 16, 1798.

At the State election in April 1798, Federalist majorities were elected to both houses of the 22nd New York State Legislature which met from August 9 to 17, 1798; and from January 2 to April 3, 1799, at Albany, New York.

Candidates

Ex-Speaker James Watson, a State Senator until the previous session, was the candidate of the Federalist Party.

First Judge of the Albany County Court John Tayler was the candidate of the Democratic-Republican Party.

Result

Watson was the choice of both the State Senate and the State Assembly, and was declared elected.

August 1798 United States Senator special election result
OfficeHouseFederalistDemocratic-Republican
U.S. SenatorState Senate (43 members)James Watson30John Tayler9
State Assembly (108 members)James Watson57John Tayler48

Aftermath

Watson took his seat on December 11, 1798, but resigned on March 19, 1800, after his appointment as Naval Officer of the Port of New York. The State Legislature held a special election in April 1800, and elected Gouverneur Morris to fill the vacancy.

See also

References