Polk’s first successful nominee was Levi Woodbury, a loyal Democratic supporter of President Andrew Jackson and Polk. Woodbury, a U.S senator and former governor from New Hampshire, had served in Jackson’s administration as secretary of the treasury and secretary of the navy. He served on the U.S. Supreme Court for only six years.

Polk’s second successful nomination was Robert C. Grier, a Pennsylvania state judge who had been a loyal Jacksonian Democrat and political organizer for years. Grier served on the Court for approximately twenty-four years.