The election was conducted by the Virginia General Assembly in joint session. Giles had previously won the special election to succeed John Tyler, who had resigned his office effective March 4, 1827.[3] The expiration of Giles's term, and the constitutionality of holding an election, was discussed prior to the balloting. Tyler's term had been due to expire in December 1827; however, Reuben B. Patteson claimed that the legislature had elected Giles for a new one-year term ending March 4, 1828, and moved that the election be postponed. After lengthy debate, most members concluded that Giles had been elected to complete Tyler's unexpired term.[5] The motion to postpone the election was defeated, and the assembly proceeded to vote. Giles was elected with a majority on the first ballot.[1]
↑The Journal of the House of Delegates does not list parties for this election.[1] Giles's biographer says that in 1825, Giles "had joined the great party in Virginia bent on defeating Adams."[2] Sobel and Raimo list Giles as a Democrat,[3] while while Kallenbach and Kallenbach list him as a Jeffersonian Republican.[4]
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