 Having just been elected to the Senate with Sherman 's support , Garfield entered the 1880 campaign season committed to Sherman as his choice for the Republican presidential nominee . Even before the convention began , however , a few Republicans , including Wharton Barker of Philadelphia , thought Garfield the best choice for the nomination . Garfield denied any interest in the position , but the attention was enough to make Sherman suspicious of his lieutenant 's ambitions . Besides Sherman , the early favorites for the nomination were Blaine and former president Grant , but several other candidates attracted delegates as well . 
