1897 contingent US Vice Presidential election

Who would win?

The OTL winner was Republican Party ticket, McKinley and Hobart. 271 electors.

But their opponent was Bryan. The Cross of Gold Bryan.

And he was endorsed by both Democratic Party and Populist Part - but these parties did not agree on Vice President.

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate was Arthur Sewall. Populist Vice Presidential candidate was Thomas Watson.

OTL, Bryan lost with 176 electors. Democrats had 147 of them, and Populists 27.

So, what about Bryan wins but no Vice President happened?

It actually happened in 1836. Van Buren won (170 electors, 148 needed to win) but thanks to 23 faithless electors from Virginia his running mate Richard Mentor Johnson had exactly half the electors, thus not majority. The lame duck Senate then had to pick between Mentor Johnson and Francis Granger (who was Harrison´s running mate)

So. 1896. Suppose Bryan wins the election for President by a narrow margin over McKinley, but thanks to the Populist party electors Sewall does not have majority. The Senate - the lame duck 1895-1897 Senate - then has to choose between Sewall and Hobart.

Who will they choose?
 
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