Category - Political Career Before Presidency

Illinois Legislature

Young Abraham was very popular in New Salem, in 1832 residents suggested him to run for the State Legislature.

US Congressman Lincoln

In 1846, as he gathered support and popularity within his party, Lincoln was nominated as a Whig candidate for congress. The election took place on August 3rd; he ran against Democrat Peter Cartwright and won. He was the only Whig congressman...

The Republican Party and the 1856 Elections

The new Republican Party A year after the Kansas-Nebraska Act the Whig party had almost disappeared. With no clear distinction between the major political parties many members of the Whigs began to look for other associations more compatible with...

Lincoln and Douglas race to the Senate

Throughout the debates Lincoln charged Douglas as part of a plan to make slavery a national institution. Douglas’ main subject was the protection of the right of Americans to choose and determine their own government and institutions, the right of...