The National Democratic (in the press referred to as Hards) state convention met in July and nominated Greene Bronson for governor as well as candidates for the other down-ballot offices.

[1] The Democratic (in the press referred to as Softs) state convention met on September 6 at Wieting Hall in Syracuse.

The convention appointed a Democratic State Central Committee which included John Cochrane and Horatio Ballard, and then adjourned.

On September 7, the convention passed a resolution approving the Kansas–Nebraska Act, which led to the eventual withdrawal of delegates Preston King, Charles G. Myers, Abijah Mann, Philip Dorsheimer and few more Barnburners, all of whom would be the next year among the founders of the Republican Party.

After this vote, a minority of about 20 seceded from the convention and re-assembled at the Court House and nominated their own ticket.

82 Whigs, 26 Softs, 16 Hards and 3 Temperance man were elected for the session of 1855 to the New York State Assembly.