The American Vote
2024 result
Whig

Whig

5 runs · 2 wins · 1836 — 1852.

Wins
2
Total runs
5
First cycle
1836
Latest cycle
1852

Whig: a presidential history

The Whig party contested 5 presidential elections between 1836 and 1852. It carried the White House 2 times.

Its winning nominees were William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor. Its electoral strength centered on the Second Party System era. Its last presidential campaign came in 1852.

Elections won · 2

Second Party System
1840
William Henry Harrison
Whig · 234 EV · 52.9% pop
First modern campaign ('Tippecanoe and Tyler Too'); highest 19th-century turnout; Harrison died 31 days in
Second Party System
1848
Zachary Taylor
Whig · 163 EV · 47.3% pop
Taylor won without taking any position on slavery; Free Soil Party foreshadowed Republican Party

Contested but not won · 3

Second Party System
1836
Martin Van Buren
Democratic · 170 EV · 50.8% pop
Whigs ran multiple regional candidates in an attempt to deny any candidate a majority
Second Party System
1844
James K. Polk
Democratic · 170 EV · 49.5% pop
Polk was a dark horse nominee; Liberty Party spoiler cost Clay New York and the presidency
Second Party System
1852
Franklin Pierce
Democratic · 254 EV · 50.8% pop
Last election where the Whig Party competed nationally; party collapsed afterward

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