The caucus of Republican State legislators met on January 8, State Senator William B. Woodin, of Auburn (25th D.), presided. 18 state senators and 88 assemblymen were present. They re-nominated the incumbent U.S. Senator Conkling unanimously.
Democratic caucus
The caucus of the Democratic State legislators nominated Ex-First Judge of Dutchess County Charles Wheaton.
Result
Roscoe Conkling was the choice of both the Assembly and the State Senate, and was declared elected.
The votes were cast on January 21, but both Houses met in a joint session on January 22 to compare nominations, and declare the result.
Aftermath
Conkling was re-elected in 1879, and remained in office until May 17, 1881, when he resigned in protest against the distribution of federal patronage in New York by President James A. Garfield without being consulted. The crisis between the Stalwart and the Half-Breed factions of the Republican party arose when the leader of the New Yorker Half-Breeds William H. Robertson was appointed Collector of the Port of New York, a position Conkling wanted to give to one of his Stalwart friends.