Fillmore was by then unpopular with northern Whigs for signing and enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act, but had considerable support from the South, where he was seen as the only candidate capable of uniting the party.
Pe atunci Fillmore era nepopular printre nordicii Whig pentru că semnase și aplicase Legea Sclavilor Fugiți, dar a avut un sprijin considerabil din partea sudului, unde a fost văzut ca singurul candidat capabil de a uni partid.