<P> On election day , as the districts were drawn to favor Douglas ' party , the Democrats won 40 seats in the state house of Representatives , and the Republicans won 35 . In the state senate , Republicans held 11 seats , and Democrats held 14 . Stephen A. Douglas was reelected by the legislature , 54 - 46 , even though Lincoln 's Republicans won the popular vote with a percentage of 50.6 % , or by 3,402 votes . However , the widespread media coverage of the debates greatly raised Lincoln 's national profile , making him a viable candidate for nomination as the Republican candidate in the upcoming 1860 presidential election . He would go on to secure both the nomination and the presidency , beating Douglas ( as the Northern Democratic candidate ) , among others , in the process . </P>
who was elected senator of illinois in 1858
Stephen A. Douglas