Nathan Sanford had been elected in 1826 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1831.
At the State election in November 1830, the Jacksonian Democrats managed to defeat the combined Anti-Masons and National Republicans.
The party strength in the assembly as shown by the election for Speaker was: 91 for Jacksonian Democrat George R. Davis and 30 for Anti-Mason John C. Spencer.
The Jacksonian Democratic State legislators held a caucus before the election, and nominated New York Supreme Court Justice William L. Marcy.
Marcy resigned his seat on January 1, 1833, upon taking office as Governor of New York.