1857 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1857 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 3. Incumbent Know-Nothing governor Henry J. Gardner ran for a fourth term in office, but lost the support of the Republican Party, which nominated Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nathaniel P. Banks. Banks prevailed over Gardner to become the first Republican governor of Massachusetts.

1857 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 3, 1857 (1857-11-03)

Nominee Nathaniel Banks Henry J. Gardner Erasmus Beach Party Republican Know Nothing Democratic Popular vote 60,797 37,596 31,760 Percentage 46.58% 28.81% 24.33%

County results Banks:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Gardner:      30–40%

Governor before election Henry J. Gardner Know Nothing Elected Governor Nathaniel Prentiss Banks Republican

Gardner's loss also began an informal tradition of no governor serving more than three consecutive one-year terms, which persisted until 1920, when the governor's term was extended to two years. The only exception to this tradition was made for Governor John Albion Andrew, who held office during the Civil War.

General election

Candidates

• Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (Republican)
• Erasmus Beach, nominee for governor in 1855 and 1856 (Democratic)
• Henry J. Gardner, incumbent governor (American)
• Caleb Swan ("Straight Republican")

Results

1857 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Nathaniel Prentiss Banks	60,797	46.58%	N/A
	Know Nothing	Henry J. Gardner (incumbent)	37,596	28.81%	30.11
	Democratic	Erasmus D. Beach	31,760	24.33%	1.21
	Independent Republican	Caleb Swan	213	0.16%	3.43
Total votes			130,366	100.00%
	Republican gain from Know Nothing		Swing

See also

• 1857 Massachusetts legislature