 In 1831 , Breathitt was one of several candidates put before the General Assembly to succeed John Rowan in the United States Senate . He received 66 of 137 votes , 3 votes short of a majority . Other unsuccessful nominees included John J. Crittenden ( 68 votes ) , Richard Mentor Johnson ( 64 votes ) , and Charles A. Wickliffe ( 49 votes ) . After 15 ballots , the Assembly still had not chosen a nominee , and postponed the matter until the next session . At that session , Henry Clay was chosen to fill the seat . 
