In 1879, Blair ran for U.S. Senate. Among his intraparty opponents, he led former Sen. Bainbridge Wadleigh on the first ballot, nearly began to trail ex-Governor Benjamin F. Prescott on the fourth ballot, though ultimately secured the party nomination.<ref name=blairnominated/> Blair then won the appointment race to serve as U.S. senator.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=413182 NH US Senate - Appointment Race - Jun 16, 1879]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 26, 2021.</ref> | In 1879, Blair ran for U.S. Senate. Among his intraparty opponents, he led former Sen. Bainbridge Wadleigh on the first ballot, nearly began to trail ex-Governor Benjamin F. Prescott on the fourth ballot, though ultimately secured the party nomination.<ref name=blairnominated/> Blair then won the appointment race to serve as U.S. senator.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=413182 NH US Senate - Appointment Race - Jun 16, 1879]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved November 26, 2021.</ref> |