Douglas was a political leader and he was well known for running against Abraham Lincoln. Arnold Douglas was an American politician from Illinois and the designer of the Kansas–Nebraska Act. In addition, Douglas had defeated Lincoln in a Senate contest and Douglas was well known as a resourceful party leader, and as a skillful person in debate and passage of legislation. Douglas was the head supporter of democracy, and believed in general rule.
The Democrats selected Douglas but the Republicans named Lincoln. Douglas tried to avoid meeting Lincoln in person. He travel around the state, making speeches for the Democrats.