Tyler returned to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1823 and then became the governor of Virginia in 1825. After this, he successfully challenged incumbent John Randolph for a position in the U.S. Senate. Randolph was a controversial figure in part because he engaged in some unusual behavior, such as dressing and undressing in the Senate chamber. He also fought a duel with Henry Clay. Tyler narrowly defeated Randolph by five votes in the state legislature.