Despite Jackson 's quiet efforts on his behalf , Polk was skeptical that he could win . Nevertheless , because of the opposition to Van Buren by expansionists in the West and South , Polk 's key lieutenant at the 1844 Democratic National Convention in Baltimore , Gideon Johnson Pillow , believed Polk could emerge as a compromise candidate . Publicly , Polk , who remained in Columbia during the convention , professed full support for Van Buren 's candidacy , and was believed to be seeking the vice presidency . Polk was one of the few major Democrats to have declared for the annexation of Texas
1844 Democratic National Convention
1844 Democratic National Convention
James K. Polk