As a delegate to the 1856 Democratic National Convention in Cincinnati , Ohio , Breckinridge favored Pierce 's re-nomination for president . When Pierce 's hopes of securing the nomination faltered , Breckinridge joined other erstwhile Pierce backers by throwing his support behind his friend , Stephen Douglas . Even with this additional support , Douglas was still unable to garner a majority of the delegates ' votes , and he withdrew , leaving James Buchanan as the Democratic nominee . William Alexander Richardson , a Kentucky-born Congressman from Illinois , then suggested that nominating Breckinridge for vice-president would balance Buchanan 's ticket and placate disgruntled supporters of Douglas or Pierce . A delegate from Louisiana placed his name before the convention , and although Breckinridge desired the nomination , he declined , citing his deference to fellow Kentuckian and former House Speaker Linn Boyd , who was supported by the Kentucky delegation
1856 Democratic National Convention
1856 Democratic National Convention
John C. Breckinridge