Nathaniel P. Tallmadge had been re-elected in 1840 to the Class 1 seat (term 1839–1845), but resigned on June 17, 1844, to be appointed Governor of Wisconsin Territory by President John Tyler.
At the Democratic caucus for Speaker, Hunker Horatio Seymour received 35 votes against 30 for Barnburner William C. Crain.
[1] To fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Silas Wright, John Adams Dix (Barnburner) was nominated, winning by a vote of 51 against 41 for Chief Justice Samuel Nelson (Hunker).
To fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, for the remainder of the term that would expire on March 3, the incumbent Daniel S. Dickinson (Hunker) was re-nominated.
The defeated Hunkers' candidate for the Class 3 seat, Justice Samuel Nelson was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court on February 27, 1845, one week before the end of President John Tyler's term.