Pulitzer's primary political rival at this time was Bourbon Democrat William Hyde, publisher of the (misleadingly named) "Missouri Republican". Pulitzer's much smaller won a series of early political skirmishes over Hyde. First, George Vest was elected to the Senate in 1879 with Pulitzer's backing, over Bourbon Samuel Glover. Next, Pulitzer secured election for an anti-Tilden delegation (including himself) to the 1880 Democratic National Convention, over Hyde's objection. Though Pulitzer could not convince Horatio Seymour, his preferred candidate, to run, the Democrats did not renominate Tilden. In March 1880, the two men even came to physical blows on Olive Street but were separated by a crowd before either was injured.