1851 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1851 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 10.

1851 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 10, 1851 (1851-11-10) (popular)
January 12, 1852 (1852-01-12) (legislative)
 
Nominee George S. Boutwell Robert C. Winthrop John G. Palfrey
Party Democratic Whig Free Soil
Electoral vote 28 11
Popular vote 43,732 64,279 28,560
Percentage 31.93% 46.93% 20.85%

Governor before election

George S. Boutwell
Democratic

Elected Governor

George S. Boutwell
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic Governor George S. Boutwell was re-elected to a second term in office. Although Whig Robert C. Winthrop won a plurality of the popular vote, a majority was required for election. Instead, the election was put to the Massachusetts General Court, where a coalition of Free Soil and Democratic legislators elected Boutwell to a second term.

General election

Candidates

Results

1851 Massachusetts gubernatorial election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Robert C. Winthrop 64,279 46.93% 0.15
Democratic George S. Boutwell (incumbent) 43,732 31.93% 2.25
Free Soil John G. Palfrey 28,560 20.85% 1.92
Write-in 280 0.20%
Independent Francis Cogswell 118 0.09% 0.48
Total votes 136,969 100.00%
Democratic hold Swing

Legislative vote

The Massachusetts House of Representatives certified the popular returns on January 12. Governor Boutwell was the first candidate nominated with 200 votes to Winthrop's 194. On a second ballot, Winthrop was nominated with 240 votes, with 30 for Palfrey and 16 for Cogswell. In the Massachusetts State Senate, Boutwell defeated Winthrop 28–11.[2]

See also

References

  1. "MA Governor, 1851". OurCampaigns. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  2. The Massachusetts Register for the Year 1852. 1853. pp. 34–35.
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