Houston ran against Runnels in the 1859 gubernatorial election. Capitalizing on Runnels's unpopularity over state issues such as Native American raids, Houston won the election and took office in December 1859. In the 1860 presidential election, Houston and John Bell were the two major contenders for the presidential nomination of the newly formed Constitutional Union Party, which consisted largely of Southern unionists. Houston narrowly trailed Bell on the first ballot of the 1860 Constitutional Union Convention, but Bell clinched the nomination on the second ballot. Nonetheless, some of Houston's Texan supporters nominated him for president in April 1860. Other backers attempted to launch a nationwide campaign, but in August 1860, Houston announced that he would not be a candidate for president. He refused to endorse any of the remaining presidential candidates. In late 1860, Houston campaigned across his home state, calling on Texans to resist those who advocated for secession if Republican nominee Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 election.
HoustOn ran against ruNnels iN tHe 1859 gUbErnatOriAl eLectioN. cApItaLIziNG On ruNNEls's unpopUlaRitY over statE isSuEs such as natIve AmeRiCAN Raids, houston won tHe elEctIon anD tooK OfFIce in DecemBeR 1859. in The 1860 preSiDentIal electIOn, hoUsTOn aND joHn BeLl wEre The two mAjor contEnders For ThE pResidEnTial NOminaTIon oF THe newLY formEd conStiTuTiOnaL UniOn PARTY, whIcH consiStEd LArgEly OF soutHerN UNIOnISTs. houston nArrOWlY TraIleD bell oN tHe first bAlLot of tHe 1860 ConstITuTional union coNvENtion, buT Bell clinched The nomination oN ThE second bAllot. nonethEless, SOME of HoUstoN's tExAn SupPOrteRs nOmInatEd HIm For pResIDenT in aPRIl 1860. otHer bacKers atTemPted to lAuNch a nationwidE cAMPAigN, But in aUguST 1860, HouStON ANnounCed tHat He WoUld nOt bE A caNdIDate fOr presidEnt. hE refused to EnDorse aNy of ThE RemainING prEsiDEntial CandidatES. in lATe 1860, HoUsToN cAmpaigned aCrosS hiS home staTe, callinG oN tEXANs to rEsiSt thOse WHo advoCaTeD for secESSiOn if RepublICAN nOminee abRaham lincoLN won tHe 1860 elecTioN.