Frelinghuysen won the vice presidential nomination on the third ballot, defeating former Governor John Davis of Massachusetts and two other candidates.

[6][7] Clay, a slaveholder, presided over a party in which its Southern wing was sufficiently committed to the national platform to put partisan loyalties above slavery expansionist proposals that might undermine its north–south alliance.

[10] In order to preserve their party, Whigs would need to stand squarely against acquiring a new slave state.

As such, Whigs were content to restrict their 1844 campaign platform to less divisive issues such as internal improvements and national finance.

[3] After three rounds of voting, Theodore Frelinghuysen – "the Christian Statesman" – was selected as Clay's running mate.