1857 Iowa gubernatorial election

The 1857 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on 13 October 1857 in order to elect the Governor of Iowa. Republican nominee Ralph P. Lowe defeated Democratic nominee Ben M. Samuels and American Party nominee W. T. Henry.[1] Marking the first time the recently formed Republican Party won the Iowa Governorship. It was also the first gubernatorial election held under the 1857 Iowa constitution.

1857 Iowa gubernatorial election

← 1854 13 October 1857 1859 →
 
Nominee Ralph P. Lowe Ben M. Samuels
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 38,498 36,088
Percentage 50.93% 47.74%

County results
Lowe:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      90-100%
Samuels:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
No Data/Votes:      

Governor before election

James W. Grimes
Whig

Elected Governor

Ralph P. Lowe
Republican

General election

edit

On election day, 13 October 1857, Republican nominee Ralph P. Lowe won the election by a margin of 2,410 votes against his foremost opponent Democratic nominee Ben M. Samuels, thereby gaining Republican control over the office of Governor. Lowe was sworn in as the 4th Governor of Iowa on 14 January 1858.[2]

Results

edit
Iowa gubernatorial election, 1857[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ralph P. Lowe 38,498 50.93
Democratic Ben M. Samuels 36,088 47.74
Know Nothing W. T. Henry 1,004 1.33
Total votes 75,590 100.00
Republican gain from Democratic

References

edit
  1. ^ "Ralph Phillips Lowe". National Governors Association. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  2. ^ "IA Governor". ourcampaigns.com. 4 March 2005. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  3. ^ Iowa General Assembly. Journal of the House of Representatives. 1858 sess., 47, accessed 27 November 2023