Question: why were there four candidates in the election of 1860

title: United States presidential election, 1860
text: The 1860 Republican National Convention nominated Lincoln , a moderate former Congressman from Illinois , as its standard - bearer . The Republican Party platform promised not to interfere with slavery in the states , but opposed the further extension of slavery into the territories . The first 1860 Democratic National Convention adjourned without agreeing on a nominee , but a second convention nominated Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois for president . Douglas 's support for the concept of popular sovereignty , which called for each individual territory to decide on the status of slavery , alienated many Southern Democrats . The Southern Democrats , with the support of President Buchanan , held their own convention and nominated Vice President John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky for president . The 1860 Constitutional Union Convention nominated a ticket led by former Senator John Bell of Tennessee . 

Answer: answer: The 1860 Republican National Convention nominated Lincoln, a moderate former Congressman from Illinois, as its standard - bearer.   The Democratic National Convention nominated Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, and the Southern Democrats held their own convention and nominated Vice President John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky for president.  Further the 1860 Constitutional Union Convention nominated a ticket led by former Senator John Bell of Tennessee.