in 1852, banks sought the democratic nomination for a seat in the united states congress. while it was at first granted, his refusal to disavow abolitionist positions meant support was withdrawn by party conservatives. he ended up winning a narrow victory anyway, with free soil support. in 1853, he presided over the state constitutional convention of 1853. this convention produced a series of proposals for constitutional reform, including a new constitution, all of which were rejected by voters. the failure, which was led by whigs and conservative anti-abolitionist democrats, spelled the end of the democratic-free soil coalition.