1855 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

1855 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1854 November 6, 1855 (1855-11-06) 1856 →
 
Nominee Henry J. Gardner Julius Rockwell
Party Know Nothing Republican
Popular vote 51,497 36,715
Percentage 37.73% 26.90%

 
Nominee Erasmus Beach Samuel H. Walley
Party Democratic Whig
Popular vote 34,728 13,296
Percentage 25.44% 9.74%

County results
Gardner:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%
Rockwell:      30–40%      40–50%
Beach:      30–40%
Walley:      40–50%

Governor before election

Henry J. Gardner
Know Nothing

Elected Governor

Henry J. Gardner
Know Nothing

The 1855 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 6. Know-Nothing candidate Henry J. Gardner was re-elected to a second term as Governor in a multi-partisan race, defeating Republican Julius Rockwell and Democrat Erasmus Beach.

This was the first election won by a direct plurality vote, after the majority requirement was abolished by the legislature on May 23. Gardner won without ratification by the General Court.


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