Changes

In 1844, Howe was elected to the lower body of the Maine legislature, where he met another future Maine U.S. senator, William P. Fessenden. However, health problems and limited opportunities led him to move from Maine to Green Bay, Wisconsin (then a territory), where he would reside for his life.<ref name=pp90-91>''Timothy O. Howe, Stalwart Republican'', pp. 90-91.</ref> Establishing a sound reputation as a lawyer, his increasing prominence led to receiving the Whig Party nomination for Congress in 1848 when Wisconsin was admitted into the Union.

In 1844, Howe was elected to the lower body of the Maine legislature, where he met another future Maine U.S. senator, William P. Fessenden. However, health problems and limited opportunities led him to move from Maine to Green Bay, Wisconsin (then a territory), where he would reside for his life.<ref name=pp90-91>''Timothy O. Howe, Stalwart Republican'', pp. 90-91.</ref> Establishing a sound reputation as a lawyer, his increasing prominence led to receiving the Whig Party nomination for Congress in 1848 when Wisconsin was admitted into the Union.

===Temporary setbacks, 1848-49===

===Temporary setbacks, 1848–49===

In the congressional district Howe presided, the three active political parties (Democratic, Whig, and Free Soil) all passed resolutions against slavery as a result of the free soil movement's influence.<ref name=pp90-91/> Howe opposed the annexation policies of Jacksonian Democrats which fueled the [[Slave Power]], and voiced support for the Wilmot Proviso that aimed to ban slavery in newly acquired U.S. territories from Mexico. However, a Democratic majority in the district all but ensured his defeat in the election.<ref name=pp90-91/>

In the congressional district Howe presided, the three active political parties (Democratic, Whig, and Free Soil) all passed resolutions against slavery as a result of the free soil movement's influence.<ref name=pp90-91/> Howe opposed the annexation policies of Jacksonian Democrats which fueled the [[Slave Power]], and voiced support for the Wilmot Proviso that aimed to ban slavery in newly acquired U.S. territories from Mexico. However, a Democratic majority in the district all but ensured his defeat in the election.<ref name=pp90-91/>