 In 1893, Madeleine V. Pollard filed suit against Breckinridge for breach of promise for his failure to marry her as promised.The trial was a national sensation; the revelations of Breckinridge's infidelity and his weak defense of the breach of promise charge led to the loss of the lawsuit and contributed to the end of his political career.In 1896, he ran for congress on a strong currency fusion ticket but was defeated.