1824 Election Results Jackson vs Adams VS

The campaign to succeed Monroe as President began early, with many different candidates being suggested. It soon came down to four viable candidates: William Crawford, Secretary of Treasury, John Q. Adams, Henry Clay, and General Andrew Jackson. Crawford was the first to be an official candidate, being selected by the caucus of Republican Congressmen. Being chosen by a caucus actually hurt Crawford's chances, when he became identified with a system of selection that was out of favor. Each of those nominated represented a different geographic part of the country. As had become common in Presidential campaigns, the newspapers of the time wrote very favorable items about those they supported.
Conversely, newspapers attacked those they opposed with venom. They made fun of how poorly Adams dressed and his "English" wife. They called Clay "a drunkard and gambler." They charged that Crawford had done unlawful acts while in office, and accused Jackson of murder.

It became clear that no candidate received the majority of either the popular vote or the electoral vote. Andrew Jackson was in the clear lead, with 99 electoral votes and 152,901 popular votes. Adams had 84 electoral votes and 11,023 popular votes. Crawford was a poor third, and Clay brought up the rear.

As no candidate received 50% of the electoral votes, under the provisions of the twelfth amendment to the constitution, the House voted for the President. Each state had one vote, and only the top three vote recipients participated. Clay who came in fourth could not compete. Clay believed that Adams was the best qualified to be President. He did not think that Jackson's success as a general meant he was ready for the Presidency and thus supported Adams. Adams laters selected Clay to be his Secretary of State, thus opening the way for charges that it was a "corrupt bargain."

State results in 1824

Popular Results in 1824

Adams Jackson Clay Crawford Total Votes
Votes Pct Votes Pct Vote Pct Votes Pct
Alabama 2,422 17.8 9,429 69.3 96 0.07 1,656 12.2 13,600
Connecticut 7,494 70.4 0 0 0 0 1,965 18.5 9,459
Illinios 1,516 32.5 1,272 27.2 1,036 22.2 847 18.1 4,671
Indiana 3,071 19.4 7,444 47 5,316 33.6 15,831
Kentucky 0 0 6,356 27.2 16,982 72.8 0 0 23,338
Maine 10,289 81.5 0 0 0 0 2,336 18.5 12,625
Maryland 14,631 44.1 14,522 43.7 695 2.1 3,364 10.1 33,212
Massachusetts 30,687 73 Other 11,369 42,056
Mississippi 1,654 33.8 3,121 63.8 0 0 119 2.4 4,894
Missouri 159 4.6 1,166 34 2,042 59.5 32 0.9 3,399
New Hampshire 9,389 93.6 0 0 0 0 643 6.4 10,032
New  Jersey 8,309 41.9 10,333 52.1 0 0 1,196 6 19,838
North Carolina 0 0 20,231 56 0 0 15,622 43.3 35,853
Ohio 12,280 24.5 18,489 37 19,255 38.5 50,024
Pennsylvania 5,441 11.6 35,736 75.9 1,690 3.6 4,206 8.9 47,073
Rhode Island 2,144 91,5 0 0 0 0 2,344 8.5 4,488
Tennessee 216 1 20,197 97.5 0 0 312 1.5 20,725
Virginia 3,419 22.2 2,975 19.4 419 2.7 8,558 55.7 15,371