 Blaine had considered running for the United States House of Representatives from Maine 's 4th district in 1860 , but agreed to step aside when Anson P. Morrill , a former governor , announced his interest in the seat . Morrill was successful , but after redistricting placed Blaine in the 3rd district for the 1862 elections , he allowed his name to be put forward . Running on a campaign of staunch support for the war effort , Blaine was elected with an ample majority despite Republican losses across the rest of the country . 
