1890 Connecticut gubernatorial election

The 1890 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1890. Democratic nominee Luzon B. Morris defeated Republican nominee Samuel E. Merwin with 50.01% of the vote.

1890 Connecticut gubernatorial election

← 1888 November 4, 1890 1892 →
 
Nominee Luzon B. Morris Samuel E. Merwin
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 67,658 63,975
Percentage 50.01% 47.29%

Morris:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Merwin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election

Morgan Bulkeley
Republican

Elected Governor

Vacant

The law at the time specified that if no candidate received a majority, the state legislature would decide the election. Morris received 50.01% of the vote, a mere 26 votes more than the majority needed to win. There were irregularities among ballots in Bridgeport as well. The state legislature, having split control, could not agree on a winner, and the result was challenged and deadlocked over the next two years.

Due to these challenges, Morris was not seated as Governor and the incumbent Governor Morgan Bulkeley remained in office, despite not running in the election.

General election

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Candidates

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Major party candidates

  • Luzon B. Morris, Democratic
  • Samuel E. Merwin, Republican

Other candidates

  • Phineas M. Augur, Prohibition
  • Henry C. Baldwin, Labor

Results

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1890 Connecticut gubernatorial election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Luzon B. Morris 67,658 50.01%
Republican Samuel E. Merwin 63,975 47.29%
Prohibition Phineas M. Augur 3,413 2.52%
Labor Henry C. Baldwin 209 0.15%
Majority
Turnout
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

References

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  1. ^ Kalb, Deborah (December 24, 2015). Guide to U.S. Elections. CQ Press. ISBN 9781483380353. Retrieved July 9, 2020.