Charles H. Ray opposed Lincoln’s candidacy. He wrote to Washburne on December 16, 1854, “I cannot well go in for Lincoln or anyone of his tribe. I have little faith in the strength of their anti-slavery sentiments.” Ray was equally explicit in a letter dated December 24: “I must confess I am afraid of ‘Abe.’ He is Southern by birth, Southern in his associations and Southern, if I mistake not, in his sympathies. . . His wife, you know, is a Todd, of a pro-slavery family, and so are all his kin. My candidate must be like Caesor’s wife—not only not suspected, but above suspicion.” Despite his reservations, Ray soon decided that Lincoln was in fact the best choice for the anti-slavery Republicans and advised his friends to support Lincoln for the Senate.

Lincoln and Washburne carried on an extensive correspondence during the senatorial campaign.

The Illinois General Assembly met in a joint session on February 8, 1855, to make their selection for the state’s U.S. Senator. After the ninth vote, with his share of votes declining, Lincoln dropped out of contention and urged his remaining supporters to vote for anti-Nebraska Democrat Lyman Trumbull to ensure that an anti-Nebraska candidate would be elected. Trumbull won the seat. See the 1854 Federal Election.