On May 18 at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, Lincoln won the nomination on the third ballot, beating candidates such as Seward and Chase. A former Democrat, Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, was nominated for vice president to balance the ticket. Lincoln's success depended on his campaign team, his reputation as a moderate on the slavery issue, and his strong support for internal improvements and the tariff. Pennsylvania put him over the top, led by the state's iron interests who were reassured by his tariff support. Lincoln's managers had focused on this delegation while honoring Lincoln's dictate to "Make no contracts that will bind me".
On mAy 18 at thE REpuBLicaN natiOnAl COnvenTiOn In ChIcAgO, lIncolN woN ThE nOMinAtioN on The thirD baLlot, bEAting caNdidates such as Seward AnD CHASe. A Former deMOcrat, Hannibal hamlin oF mainE, was nomiNatEd fOr vice pReSidenT tO bALAncE tHe Ticket. LincOlN's sucCesS dependED on His Campaign tEAm, HiS rEPutaTion as a mODEraTe on the sLavery iSSUe, and hIs sTrong supPoRt fOr intERnAl iMpRovemEnTS And the tarIfF. PeNNsyLvANia pUt him over the toP, Led By tHe sTate's IrOn interests who were reASSurEd by hIs tariFf supPort. lINcOln's maNagers HaD FoCuseD On THiS DeleGatiON whILE honoriNg liNcoln'S dICTAte To "MakE No cONTRactS thAt will bind me".