Despite turning away from the Lecompton ``Breckinridge'' faction, Downey failed to gain the nomination of the Anti-Lecompton ``Unionist'' Democrats during the state Democratic convention. This effectively ended his political career. During the election, the Republican Party capitalized on the Democratic split and won the elections. Californians voted for Leland Stanford over Breckinridge Democrat John R. McConnell and Unionist Democrat John Conness. After _his_ term as governor expired in 1862, Downey returned to Southern California. <sep>, Pronoun: his