Lincoln's one term as Congressman

[Eva Elisabeth]

As Roger explained, A. Lincoln had already wanted to go to Congress two terms before, but he had two stronger rivals: John J. Hardin (who had already been representative since 1836) and his friend Edward D. Baker. Hardin had the necessary votes, and in order to have a solid party vote behind one candidate, Lincoln offered a resolution (which was adopted) to make his nomination unanimous for the establishment of a principle of rotation in office, i.e. Baker as the choice of the party's nomination in 1844 and himself in 1846.
Lincoln's successor was a democrat, Thomas L. Harris.