Editing Roscoe Conkling (section)

===Mayor of Utica (1858–59)===
In 1858, Republicans sought a candidate for Mayor of Utica, considered a slightly Democratic city.{{sfn|A.R. Conkling|p=61}} The party convention nominated Conkling on the first ballot. After a five-day campaign, Conkling defeated Democrat Charles S. Wilson on March 2, 1858, and took office on March 9.{{sfn|Jordan|1971|pp=16–19}}

Although he did not run for re-election, Conkling remained mayor until his resignation on November 18, 1859 because the March 1859 election to choose his successor resulted in a tie.{{sfn|Jordan|1971|pp=16–19}}{{sfn|A.R. Conkling|p=71}}