[221] Van Buren's supporters attempted to prevent the adoption of the two-thirds rule, but several Northern delegates joined with Southern delegates in implementing the two-thirds rule for the 1844 convention.[222] Van Buren won 146 of the 266 votes on the first presidential ballot, with only 12 of his votes coming from Southern states.[213]
Senator Lewis Cass won much of the remaining vote, and he gradually picked up support on subsequent ballots until the convention adjourned for the day.[223] When the convention reconvened and held another ballot, James K. Polk, who shared many of Van Buren's views but favored immediate annexation, won 44 votes.[224] On the ninth ballot, Van Buren's supporters withdrew his name from consideration, and Polk won the nomination.[225] Although angered that his opponents had denied him the nomination, Van Buren endorsed Polk in the interest of party unity.[226] He also convinced Silas Wright to run for Governor of New York so that the popular Wright could help boost Polk in the state.[227] Wright narrowly defeated Whig nominee Millard Fillmore in the 1844 gubernatorial election, and Wright's victory in the state helped Polk narrowly defeat Henry Clay in the 1844 presidential election.