The expectation was that while the district might be carried for the Democratic candidate for Congress, Cleveland would probably fail of election.

The nomination was virtually forced upon him against his wishes.

But he was elected by a small plurality.

This success, reenforced by his able conduct of the office, singled him out as the party's hope for success in the Buffalo municipal election; and after his term as sheriff he was nominated for mayor, again without any effort on his part.

Although ordinarily the Democratic party was in a hopeless minority, Cleveland was elected.