1851 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

The 1851 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on 11 March 1851 in order to elect the governor of New Hampshire. Incumbent Democratic governor Samuel Dinsmoor Jr. won re-election against Whig nominee Thomas E. Sawyer and Free Soil Party nominee John Atwood. Since no candidate received a majority in the popular vote, Dinsmoor was elected by the New Hampshire General Court per the state constitution.[1]

1851 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

← 1850 11 March 1851 1852 →
 
Nominee Samuel Dinsmoor Jr. Thomas E. Sawyer John Atwood
Party Democratic Whig Free Soil
Popular vote 27,425 18,458 12,049
Percentage 47.19% 31.76% 20.73%

County results
Dinsmoor:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%
Sawyer:      40–50%

Governor before election

Samuel Dinsmoor Jr.
Democratic

Elected Governor

Samuel Dinsmoor Jr.
Democratic

General election

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On election day, 11 March 1851, incumbent Democratic governor Samuel Dinsmoor Jr. won re-election by a margin of 8,967 votes against his foremost opponent Whig nominee Thomas E. Sawyer, but because no candidate received a majority of the popular vote, a separate election was held by the New Hampshire General Court, which chose Governor Dinsmoor as the winner. He thereby retained Democratic control over the office of governor. Dinsmoor was sworn in for his third term on 3 June 1851.[2]

Results

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New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 1851
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Samuel Dinsmoor Jr. (incumbent) 27,425 47.19
Whig Thomas E. Sawyer 18,458 31.76
Free Soil John Atwood 12,049 20.73
Scattering 179 0.32
Total votes 58,111 100.00
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ "Samuel Dinsmoor Jr". National Governors Association. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  2. ^ "NH Governor". ourcampaigns.com. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2024.