George Sydney Hawkins Democratic Robert BenjaminHilton Democratic The 1860 United States House of Representatives election in Florida was held on Monday, October 1, 1860, to elect the single United States Representative from the state of Florida, one from the state's single at-large congressional district, to represent Florida in the 37th Congress.

Both Hilton and Allen were secessionists; the only question that remained was what ideology would an independent Florida prefer: the conservatism of the Democratic Party or the Whiggism of the Opposition Party.

Due to Hilton's close ties with Vice President John C. Breckinridge, the Democratic nominee for president, it was all but guaranteed that he would ride on Breckinridge's coattails.

[3] Florida seceded from the Union on January 10, 1861, meaning Hilton was not able to take his seat in Congress.

However, Hilton won election to the Confederate States House of Representatives later in 1861, representing Florida's 2nd congressional district.