His chief opponent in the canvass was future congressman Horace Maynard, who was an elector for Millard Fillmore. In 1857, Polk was elected to Maury County's seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives, defeating an independent candidate, William S. Bassford, 1,669 votes to 676.
Polk’s main opponent during the election was future congressman Horace Maynard, who was an elector for Millard Fillmore. In 1857, Polk won a seat in Maury County's representation in the Tennessee House of Representatives by defeating independent candidate William S. Bassford with 1,669 votes to 676.