Republican William M. Evarts had been elected to this seat in 1885, and his term would expire on March 3, 1891.

Smith Mead Weed was a major organizer and financial supporter of the Democratic effort to claim control of the legislature in the 1890 elections.

With a small minority in the Senate but a slightly larger majority in the Assembly, the Democrats were positioned to elect one of their own on the legislature's joint ballot.

Weed expected to be the Democratic candidate, but agreed to withdraw if Governor David B. Hill desired the nomination.

David B. Hill remained in office as Governor of New York until December 31, 1891, and took his seat only on January 7, 1892, missing actually only one month of session.