To the best of my knowledge, outside of Missouri, Maryland and Delaware (and possibly Kentucky), there were no Republican political organizations in any of the slave slave states. People like Andrew Johnson in Tennessee continued to describe themselves as Whigs.

Even though the Republican Party was largely non-existant in the South, political contests in the slave states were hard-fought and bitter. The three parties involved were States Right Democrats (advocates of the rights of the states in the territories), the National Democratic Party and the Constitutional Union Party. Most former Whigs and American Party members (No-Nothings) supported the Bell-Everett ticket. Bell and Everett carried many Southern counties where slaves were numerous.

The most divisive contest took place between the States Rights and National Democrats. During the election of 1860 States Rights news editors ran frequent attacks on Senator Douglas for his position on slavery in the territories. Lincoln or the "Black Republicans" are almost entirely ignored. That may be because editors are attempting to pursuade voters, and they already knew none of their readers could or would vote Republican.

Future Confederate leaders took part in each of the three major parties: National Democrat, States Rights Democrat and Constitutional Union.