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1849–50 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1849–50 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 12, 1949[1] that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 7, 1850. The ultimate task of electing the governor had been placed before the Massachusetts General Court because no candidate received the majority of the vote required for a candidate to be elected through the popular election. Incumbent Whig Governor George N. Briggs won the legislative vote and was therefore elected, defeating Democratic nominee George S. Boutwell and Free Soil nominee Stephen C. Phillips.

1849–50 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
← 1848 November 12, 1849 (popular election)
January 7, 1850 (legislative vote)		 1850 →
 
Nominee George N. Briggs George S. Boutwell Stephen C. Phillips
Party Whig Democratic Free Soil
Popular vote 54,009 30,040 25,247
Percentage 49.33% 27.44% 23.06%
Senate vote 23
65.71% 		12
34.29% 		Did not qualify
Popular election results by county
Briggs:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

George N. Briggs
Whig

Elected Governor

George N. Briggs
Whig

General election

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Candidates

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Results

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1849 Massachusetts gubernatorial election[3][4][5][6][7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig George N. Briggs 54,009 49.33%
Democratic George S. Boutwell 30,040 27.44%
Free Soil Stephen C. Phillips 25,247 23.06%
Scattering 193 0.18%
Majority 23,969 21.89%
Turnout 109,849
Whig hold Swing

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.[8]

Contemporary sources only record the House's vote as Briggs 157, Phillips 63, Boutwell 59, which would result in the nomination of Briggs but not Boutwell.[9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

The legislative election was held on January 7, 1850.[16]

Legislative election[16][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig George N. Briggs 23 65.71%
Democratic George S. Boutwell 12 34.29%
Turnout 35
Whig hold

References

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  1. ^ "Elections". The daily union. Washington, D.C. November 6, 1849. p. 3. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  2. ^ "Gov. George Sewall Boutwell". www.nga.org. National Governors Association. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  3. ^ "MA Governor, 1849". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  4. ^ Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
  5. ^ Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 58. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Massachusetts Constitution". The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Governor of Massachusetts". The republic. Washington, D.C. January 10, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Election of Governor of Massachusetts". Weekly national intelligencer. Washington, D.C. January 12, 1850. p. 5. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Election of Governor in Massachusetts". The national era. Washington, D.C. January 17, 1850. p. 11. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Election of Gov. Briggs". Virginia free press. Charlestown, Va. January 17, 1850. p. 3. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Governor of Massachusetts". The Lancaster gazette. Lancaster, Ohio. January 18, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  14. ^ a b "Governor of Massachusetts". The daily crescent. New Orleans, La. January 18, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Communicated". The Minnesota pioneer. St. Paul, Minn. Territory. February 27, 1850. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  16. ^ a b 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.
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