Despite Jackson 's support , the party was far from united behind Johnson . Van Buren preferred Rives as a running mate . In a letter to Jackson , Tennessee Supreme Court justice John Catron doubted that " a lucky random shot , even if it did hit Tecumseh , qualifies a man for the vice presidency " . Although Johnson was a " widower " , after Chinn 's death in 1833 , there was still dissension related to Johnson 's open relationship with a slave . The 1835 Democratic National Convention , in Baltimore , in May 1835 , was held under the two-thirds rule , largely to demonstrate Van Buren 's wide popularity . Although Van Buren was nominated unanimously , Johnson barely obtained the necessary two-thirds of the vote . ( A motion was made to change the rule , but it obtained only a bare majority , not two-thirds . ) Tennessee 's delegation did not attend the convention . Edward Rucker , a Tennessean who happened to be in Baltimore , was picked to cast its 15 votes , so that all the states would endorse Van Buren . Senator Silas Wright , of New York , prevailed upon Rucker to vote for Johnson , giving him just more than twice the votes cast for Rives , and the nomination
1835 Democratic National Convention
1835 Democratic National Convention
Richard Mentor Johnson