James Potter - Political Life

Political Life

In 1780, Potter was elected to Pennsylvania's Council of Censors or Supreme Executive Council. In that year he lost a Vice-Presidential election to William Moore, earning only six of the sixty votes cast. (The position of Vice-President is analogous to the modern office of Lieutenant Governor.) However, the following year, on 14 November 1781, he was elected to the Vice-Presidency, earning thirty eight votes to James Ewing's twenty eight. But on 7 November 1782, he lost both the Presidential race to John Dickinson (earning only thirty two votes to Dickinson's forty one) and the Vice-Presidential race to James Ewing (earning thirty four votes to Ewing's thirty nine). During his Vice-Presidential term he served as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

Potter was named a major-general of the militia in 1782, and, in 1785, became deputy surveyor in Northumberland County.

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