United States Senate elections in New York, 1845

The 1845 United States Senate special election in New York was held on January 18, 1845 by the New York State Legislature to elect two U.S. Senators (Class 1 and Class 3) to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate. The regular 1845 United States Senate election in New York was held on February 4, 1845, to elect a U.S. Senator (Class 1) to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.

Nathaniel P. Tallmadge had been re-elected in 1840 to the Class 1 seat (term 1839-1845), but resigned on June 17, 1844, to be appointed Governor of Wisconsin Territory by President John Tyler. On November 30, Governor William C. Bouck appointed Lieutenant Governor Daniel S. Dickinson to fill the vacancy temporarily, and Dickinson took his seat on December 9, 1844.

Silas Wright, Jr. had been re-elected in 1843 to the Class 3 seat (term 1843-1849), but resigned on November 26, 1844, after his election as Governor of New York. On November 30, Governor William C. Bouck appointed State Senator Henry A. Foster to fill the vacancy temporarily, and Foster took his seat on December 9, 1844.

At the State election in November 1844, Democrat Silas Wright was elected Governor; 70 Democrats, 44 Whigs, and 14 Anti-Renters and Native Americans were elected to the Assembly; and 6 Democrats, 1 Whig and 1 American Republican were elected to the State Senate. The 68th New York State Legislature met from January 7 to May 14, 1845, at Albany, New York. At this time the Democratic Party was split in two factions: the "Hunkers" and the "Barnburners". At the Democratic caucus for Speaker Hunker Horatio Seymour received 35 votes against 30 for Barnburner William C. Crain. Both temporarily appointed U.S. Senators, Dickinson and Foster, were Hunkers, but the Barnburners claimed one of the seats.

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