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1848–49 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1848–49 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 13, 1848[1] that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 8, 1949. Incumbent Whig Governor George N. Briggs was reelected.

1848–49 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
← 1847 November 13, 1848 (popular election)
January 8, 1849 (legislative vote)		 1849 →
 
Nominee George N. Briggs Stephen C. Phillips Caleb Cushing
Party Whig Free Soil Democratic
Popular election 61,640
49.69% 		36,011
29.03% 		25,323
20.41%
Senate vote unanimous
100%
Popular election results by county
Briggs:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Phillips:      40–50%
Governor before election

George N. Briggs
Whig

Elected Governor

George N. Briggs
Whig

Democratic nomination

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The Democratic convention was held on September 6, 1848, at Worcester City Hall.[2]

Results

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Democratic gubernatorial nomination[2][3][4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Caleb Cushing 382 60.0
Democratic Frederick Robinson 220 34.5
Democratic George S. Boutwell 16 2.5
Democratic Robert Rantoul Jr. 11 1.7
Democratic G. P. Osgood 4 6.3
Democratic Benjamin F. Hallett 2 3.1
Democratic Isaac Davis 1 1.6
Democratic H. H. Childs 1 1.6
Total votes 637

Whig nomination

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The Whig convention was held on September 13, 1848, at Worcester. Governor George N. Briggs and Lieutenant Governor John Reed Jr. were re-nominated by acclamation.[5][6]

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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1848 Massachusetts gubernatorial election[8][9][10][11][12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig George N. Briggs 61,640 49.69%
Free Soil Stephen C. Phillips 36,011 29.03%
Democratic Caleb Cushing 25,323 20.41%
Independent Democrat Frederick Robinson 475 0.38%
Scattering 606 0.49%
Majority 25,629 20.66%
Turnout 124,055

Legislative election

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As no candidate received a majority of the vote, the Massachusetts General Court was required to decide the election. Under Article III of the Constitution of Massachusetts, the House of Representatives chose two candidates from the top four vote-getters, the Senate electing the Governor from the House's choice.[13]

The legislative election was held on January 8, 1849.[14][15]

Legislative election[16][17][18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig George N. Briggs unanimous
Whig hold

References

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  1. ^ "Miscellaneous Political Intelligence". The New York herald. New York, N.Y. November 13, 1848. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Democratic State Convention at Worcester". The daily union. Washington, D.C. September 24, 1848. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  3. ^ "Caleb Cushing Nominated for Governor of Massachusetts". The New York herald. New York, N.Y. September 7, 1848. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  4. ^ "Massachusetts Democratic State Convention". Richmond enquirer. Richmond, Va. September 8, 1848. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  5. ^ "Massachusetts Whig State Convention". Alexandria gazette. Alexandria, D.C. September 15, 1848. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  6. ^ "The Whigs of Massachusetts". The Middlebury galaxy. Middlebury, Vt. September 19, 1848. p. 3. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  7. ^ Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. American Series of Popular Biographies (Massachusetts ed.). Boston: Graves & Steinbarger. 1901. pp. 455–456.
  8. ^ "MA Governor, 1848". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  9. ^ Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
  10. ^ Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 58. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
  11. ^ Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 116. ISBN 978-0-7864-1439-0.
  12. ^ Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. p. 278. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.
  13. ^ "Massachusetts Constitution". The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  14. ^ "Massachusetts". The examiner. Louisville, Ky. January 20, 1849. p. 3. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  15. ^ "Massachusetts". The Mississippi Creole. Canton, Miss. January 26, 1849. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  16. ^ Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. p. 294. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.
  17. ^ "News of the Day". Alexandria gazette. Alexandria, D.C. January 11, 1849. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  18. ^ "Briggs and Reed". The Middlebury galaxy. Middlebury, Vt. January 16, 1849. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
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