He Had A Close Political Relationship With Andrew Jackson

When he assisted John Peter Van Ness in securing the party candidacy for the election to the 6th congressional district of New York at the age of 18, Van Buren first got active in politics. When he was elected to the New York State Senate in 1812, Van Buren made his first significant stride. When the state assembly chose Van Buren to represent New York in the US Senate in 1821, he made his political debut on the national stage. From March 4, 1821, through December 20, 1828, he represented New York as a US senator.

With the help of his friendships with well-known politicians, Van Buren soon rose to prominence in politics. With Andrew Jackson, he grew to be incredibly close. After Jackson defeated Adams and appointed Van Buren his Secretary of State, Martin Van Buren resigned from the Senate and ran successfully for governor of New York in 1828. Despite resigning as part of a cabinet reorganization in 1831, Van Buren went on to become Jackson's supporter as envoy to Britain and receive the Democrats' initial vice presidential candidacy in 1832. He ran against the recharter of the Bank of the United States, which Jackson vetoed in July 1832, on a ticket with Jackson. Van Buren was personally chosen by Jackson to succeed him as president four years later after the Jackson-Van Buren ticket soundly defeated Henry Clay of the opposing Whig Party.