THE CAMPAIGN OF 1820

After four years in office, Monroe's renomination was such a foregone conclusion that few Democratic-Republicans attended the congressional nominating caucus in April 1820. Not wanting to embarrass the President with only a handful of votes, the caucus declined to make a formal nomination. Neither did the few remaining Federalists bother to endorse an opponent. As a result, Monroe and Vice President Tompkins ran unopposed.

This was the first time since the election of President Washington that a presidential election went uncontested. Even former President John Adams, founder of the Federalist Party, came out of retirement to serve as a Monroe elector in Massachusetts. Only one of the electors, Governor William Plumer of New Hampshire, did not vote for Monroe, casting a vote for Secretary of State John Quincy Adams instead.

Source: Miller Center of Public Affairs, University of Virginia. “James Monroe: Campaigns and Elections.” Accessed May 22, 2016. http://millercenter.org­/president/biography/monroe-campaigns-and-elections.

Gilbert Stuart. 1820. "James Monroe." Oil on Canvas.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art.