United States presidential election of 1808: Madison defeats Pinckney
- When
- 1808
- Where
- Congressional Nominating Caucus; Federalist Caucus; United States
- Episodes
- 3
The 1808 United States presidential election occurred between November 4 and December 7, 1808. Democratic-Republican James Madison defeated Federalist Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Madison, Jefferson's Secretary of State, secured the party nomination despite internal disputes. The contest was influenced by opposition to the Embargo Act of 1807, which disproportionately affected New England. Madison won decisively outside Federalist strongholds, prevailing in a closer race than the 1804 election.
Episodes
- Congressional Nominating Caucus
Bradley convened the 1808 caucus, where Madison secured the Democratic-Republican nomination over Monroe and Clinton, despite internal opposition to the caucus system.
- Federalist Caucus
The Federalist caucus met in September 1808 to re-nominate Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Rufus King, hoping to capitalize on economic dissatisfaction.
- Election Voting Period
Presidential elections were held from November 4 to December 7, 1808, with Madison defeating Pinckney decisively outside Federalist strongholds.
Background and detail
Background. James Madison served as Secretary of State from 1801 to 1809. The election context included heightened tensions with Britain following the Chesapeake-Leopard affair and the passage of the Embargo Act of 1807. This act banned exports to foreign nations, aiming to pressure Britain but disproportionately hurting New England merchants. Federalists hoped economic dissatisfaction would allow them to win back the presidency in 1808.
Nominations. Bradley called for the 1808 congressional nominating caucus, inviting 146 Democratic-Republican members and Federalist allies. Madison won the nomination over James Monroe and George Clinton with Jefferson's support, though seventeen Republicans opposed the caucus system. The Federalist caucus met in September 1808 and re-nominated Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and Rufus King, hoping Pinckney's military experience would aid their chances.
Outcome. Presidential elections were held from November 4 to December 7, 1808. Madison defeated Pinckney decisively, winning the vast majority of electoral votes outside New England. Although the 1808 election was closer than the 1804 contest, Madison prevailed. The legacy claim of a 122-47 tally is not supported by the supplied passages, which only confirm Madison's victory and the relative closeness compared to 1804.
People involved
- James Madison · Democratic-Republican Candidate
- Charles Cotesworth Pinckney · Federalist Candidate
- Thomas Jefferson · Outgoing President
- Bradley · Called for the 1808 congressional nominating caucus; had chaired the congressional nominating caucus during the 1804 presidential election (identity unresolved)
Sources
- 1808 United States presidential election Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-02
- Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-03
- James Madison Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-01
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.