1912 Republican National Convention take part in the presidential ballot in protest of the contested delegates. Roosevelt ultimately ran a third party campaign as part of the Progressive Party (nicknamed the "Bull Moose Party"). Taft and Roosevelt both lost the 1912 election to the Democratic nominee, Woodrow Wilson. Like Taft, Vice President James S. Sherman of New York was renominated by the party. Though Taft and Sherman did not get along early in their tenure, the two became closer allies as Taft's split with Roosevelt deepened, and Taft did not object to the re-nomination of Sherman. Taft's allies sought progressive leaders such as Idaho
Russell S. Taft Company, and later served as its Vice President. A Republican, Taft served as a Selectman for the Town of Burlington from 1861 to 1864. After Burlington was incorporated as a city Taft served as an Alderman from 1865 to 1869. From 1862 to 1865 Taft was Chittenden County State's Attorney, and he was Chittenden County's Register of Probate from 1863 to 1880. Taft served in the Vermont Senate from 1865 to 1866, and he was Burlington's City Attorney from 1871 to 1872. In 1872 Taft was the successful Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, and he served from October, 1872 to