As the Whig Party fell apart , Randall and his family became Democrats . Josiah Randall was friendly with James Buchanan , a Pennsylvania Democrat then serving as the United States ' envoy in Great Britain . Both Randall and his father attended the Democratic National Convention in 1856 to work for Buchanan 's nomination for president , which was successful . When , in 1858 , a vacancy occurred in Randall 's state Senate district , he ran for election ( as a Democrat ) for the remainder of the term , and was elected . Still only 30 years old , Randall had risen rapidly in politics . Much of his term in the state Senate was spent dealing with the incorporation of street railway companies , which he believed would benefit his district . Randall also supported legislation to reduce the power of banks , a policy that he would continue to advocate for his entire political career . In 1860 , he ran for election to a full term in the state Senate while his brother Robert ran for a seat in the state House of Representatives . Ignoring their father 's advice that it meant " too much Randall on the ticket , " both brothers were unsuccessful
Democratic National Convention
1856 Democratic National Convention
Samuel J. Randall