What US President had the most nominees rejected by the Senate?

Answer 1

Of the fifteen Presidents who had nominees rejected by the Senate, John Tyler, who ascended to the Presidency when William Henry Harrison died, had the most by far.

The Senate turned down four of Tyler's five candidates, primarily out of vindictiveness because Tyler had taken an unpopular stance against some of former President Jackson's policies. He had also jumped parties shortly before the 1840 Presidential election, switching from the Democratic-Republicans to the Whigs.

Tyler needed to fill two vacancies on the Court following the deaths of Justices Smith Thompson (1843) and Henry Baldwin (1844). The Whig party hoped their candidate, Henry Clay, would win the 1844 Presidential election, and attempted to postpone the appointment until Clay was in office.

The Senate finally confirmed one of Tyler's nominees, Samuel Nelson, in February 1845, after Polk beat Clay. Baldwin's seat remained unfilled until President Polk nominated Robert Grier, in 1846.

Tyler's Eight Unsuccessful Attempts at Seating a Justice

1844

* John Spencer nominated January 9, defeated January 31 by a vote of 21-26

* Reuben Walworth nominated March 13, nomination tabled June 15, nomination withdrawn June 17

* Edward King nominated June 4, permanently tabled June 15

* John Spencer second nomination June 17, nomination withdrawn June 17

* Reuben Walworth second nomination June 17, objection to motion to act, no further action taken

* Reuben Walworth third nomination December 10, nomination tabled January 21, 1845, withdrawn February 6, 1845

* Edward King second nomination on December 18, nomination tabled January 21, 1845, withdrawn February 8, 1845

1845

* John Read nominated January 21, motion to consider failed on February 8.


President Ulysses S. Grant had the second highest number of nominees rejected, at three.