The Nationalist Party was founded in Delaware in 1845 by group of eleven men and soon began to grow rapidly. By 1850, the organization had a membership base of 15,000 people. Many found the growth of the party was too slow and the leaders were too weak, but that would all change after a new member registered. In 1865, John J. Walker, state senator candidate for Virginia, won by 50.8% of the votes and ran for state senator. After Walker won the election in 1866, the year after he became the senator. By 1900, 25% of voters are member of the Nationalist Party.