On June 20, Governor Talbot announced that he wished to retire at the end of his term and would decline the Republican nomination if offered.

[2] Long (or his supporters) felt he was guaranteed the nomination by agreement, having stepped aside for Talbot in 1878.

However, this agreement quickly made way for the necessity of defeating Benjamin Butler, whom Republicans decried as a demagogue and communist.

Pierce's supporters argued that he would better appeal to liberals, independents, and Democrats, while Long had to rely on Stalwarts and prohibitionists.

[3] Long formally accepted the nomination at a ratification meeting on September 26.