E Pluribus Duo

POD
The year in 1856. David Wilmot, the man behind the Wilmot Proviso, announces that he is running for president, in the wake of the important Dred Scott Trial.

Election of 1856
After Wilmot announces that he is running for President, Wilmot becomes the clear candidate among the Republicans. At the Republican convention, Wilmot is chosen as the Presidential candidate, and Abraham Lincoln is chosen as his running mate. Then the American Party choses Millard Fillmore. The Democratic Party sees many major candidates. Stephen Douglas, James Buchanan, Robert M.T. Hunter, and William L. Lancey are all considered highly likely. However, in response to the nomination of Wilmot, the Democrats do not go for the Northerners Buchanan and Douglas, especially because they are less extreme towards slavery. After many ballots of Yancey in the lead, Robert M.T. Hunter is chosen as a sort of Dark Horse candidate. In the election, Fillmore wins Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and California, for a total of 49 electoral votes, due to his more moderate views. Wilmot wins New England, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa, for 125 electoral votes. This leaves 122 electoral votes for Hunter. Nobody wins a majority, so it goes to the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives votes on Hunter to be the president.