John Anthony Quitman, September 1, 1798 (or 1799) (Rhinebeck, NY) – July 17, 1858 (Natchez, Miss.)
VP candidate for Southern Rights Party 1852
Running mate with nominee: George M. Troup (1780-1856)
Popular vote: 2,331 (0.07%)
Electoral vote: 0/296
The campaign:
The Southern Rights Party had splintered off the Democratic Party by Southerners who had no faith in Franklin Pierce and strongly opposed the Compromise of 1850. In addition to being unapologetic advocates for slavery, they openly promoted secession from the Union. Although the Party rose and fell quite rapidly, they did anticipate the coming national conflict.
Former Georgia US Sen. George Troup was a lukewarm standard-bearer. Being in his early 70s he stated in a letter that he thought he would die soon (he died in 1856), didn't really want the nomination, and was going to vote for Pierce. His handlers managed to keep a lid on most of this until after the election. Former Mississippi Governor and Troupe's running mate John Anthony Quitman, was a transplanted Northerner but became pro-slavery "Fire-Eater" radical on the subject of secession.
The Southern Rights Party ticket was on the ballot in two states, with low percentages that had no impact on the outcome: Alabama 2,205 (4.99%) and Georgia 126 (0.20%).
Election history:
1826-1827 - Mississippi House of Representatives (National Republican)
1835-1836 - Mississippi State Senate (Whig)
1835-1836 - Governor of Mississippi (Whig) - acting Gov. as Pres. of Senate
1848 - Vice-Presidential nominee for Democratic Party - defeated
1850-1851 - Governor of Mississippi (Democratic)
1851 - Governor of Mississippi (Democratic) - dropped out of race
1855-1858 - US House of Representatives (Miss.) (Democratic)
1856 - Vice-Presidential nominee for Democratic Party - defeated
Other occupations: teacher, attorney, delegate to Mississippi state constitutional convention 1832, State Court Judge in Mississippi 1838, General in the Army during the US-Mexican War, Military Governor of Mexico City during US occupation,
Buried: Natchez City Cemetery (Natchez, Miss.)
Notes:
Was the leader on the first two Democratic convention votes for VP nominee in 1856, but lost to John Breckinridge on the 3rd vote.
Was the runner-up on Democratic convention votes for VP nominee in 1848 but lost to William O. Butler.
Freemason.
First President of the Aztec Club.
Was involved in the near invasion of Cuba (one sanctioned by the US, one not) on two different occasions during the era he ran for Vice-President.
Was forced to resign as Governor in order to defend himself in court due to his first foray into Cuban invasion plans but he was not convicted.
If elected VP in 1852 he would have become President upon the death of Troup in 1856.
Died as a result of the mysterious National Hotel Disease.
Was encouraged by his Prussian born father to become a Lutheran minister.
President of an anti-gambling society and anti-duelling society in Natchez in the 1820s.
Quitman County, Miss. created in 1877 in his honor.
The city of Quitman, Miss., named in his honor 1839.
Plantation owner ("Monmouth") with over 50 slaves.
Once engaged in a fistfight with his opponent during a public election debate.
Neither Troupe or Quitman lived long enough to experience the Civil War.
