Fillmore was active in the discussions of presidential candidates that preceded the Whig National Convention for the 1840 race . He initially supported General Winfield Scott , but really wanted to defeat Kentucky Senator Henry Clay , a slaveholder he felt could not carry New York state . Fillmore did not attend the convention , but was gratified when it nominated General William Henry Harrison for president , with former Virginia senator John Tyler his running mate . Fillmore organized Western New York for the Harrison campaign , and the national ticket was elected , while Fillmore easily gained a fourth term in the House
Whig National Convention
1839 Whig National Convention
Millard Fillmore