In 1839 , the Whigs held a national convention for the first time . The 1839 Whig National Convention saw 1836 nominee William Henry Harrison defeat former Secretary of State Henry Clay and General Winfield Scott . Van Buren faced little opposition at the 1840 Democratic National Convention , but controversial Vice President Richard Mentor Johnson was not re-nominated . The Democrats thus became the only major party since the passage of the Twelfth Amendment to fail to select a vice presidential nominee
1840 Democratic National Convention
1840 Democratic National Convention
1840 United States presidential election