Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1902 and 1903, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.

Two years later, Republican state senator J. Frank Allee was elected in 1903 to finish the term.

One-term incumbent Democrat Stephen Mallory II was therefore appointed to begin the term, pending the late election.

Democratic incumbent Stephen Mallory II was elected late April 22, 1903, to finish the term.

Republican Thomas C. Platt had previously been re-elected to this seat in 1897, and his term would expire on March 3, 1903.

A single vote was cast for U.S. Secretary of War Elihu Root by Assemblyman William A. Denison, of Jefferson County.

Besides Denison voting against Platt, a small number of anti-Platt men did not attend the caucus.

Davies was defeated in a landslide by Democrat Watson M. Rogers although the 5th District was heavily Republican.

All 62 State legislators attended, and Assemblyman Charles W. Hinson, of Erie County, presided.

Stanchfield had been Mayor of Elmira, and was defeated when running for Governor of New York in 1900 by Republican Benjamin B. Odell Jr. Thomas C. Platt was the choice of both the Assembly and the State Senate, and was declared elected.

Three Republican anti-Platt men, State senators Edgar T. Brackett (28th D.), Elon R. Brown and Nathaniel A. Elsberg (15th D.), voted for Elihu Root.