1900 Delaware gubernatorial election

The 1900 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1900. Though Governor Ebe W. Tunnell was eligible for re-election under the newly adopted 1897 constitution,[1] the state convention ended up nominating Peter J. Ford,[2] a prominent businessman.[3]

1900 Delaware gubernatorial election

← 1896 November 6, 1900 1904 →
 
Nominee John Hunn Peter J. Ford
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 22,421 18,802
Percentage 53.57% 44.93%

County results
Hunn:      50–60%

Governor before election

Ebe W. Tunnell
Democratic

Elected Governor

John Hunn
Republican

On the Republican side, the split from four years earlier threatened to divide the party once again. The Addicks and anti-Addicks Republicans nominated separate candidates for Governor. The anti-Addicks (or "Regular Republicans") nominated attorney Martin B. Burris,[4] while the Addicks (or "Union Republicans") nominated Dr. George W. Marshall.[5] Both factions, however, nominated John Hunn for Lieutenant Governor.[6]

Though initial negotiations between the factions failed to produce a reconciliation,[6] a tentative agreement developed to form a joint ticket, adopting Hunn as a compromise for Governor splitting nominations for statewide offices among the two factions.[7] Ultimately, the parties came to an agreement, and a joint ticket was nominated for the general election.[8]

In the general election, Hunn ended up defeating Ford by a decisive margin, reclaiming the governorship for the Republican Party. Republicans would end up holding onto the office until 1936.

General election

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1900 Delaware gubernatorial election[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John Hunn 22,421 53.57% +33.18%
Democratic Peter J. Ford 18,802 44.93% +0.72%
Prohibition Richard M. Cooper 574 1.37% −1.07%
Socialist Gustave E. Reinike 54 0.13%
Majority 3,619 8.65% −4.16%
Turnout 41,851 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ "News of the State: Talk in Kent County About Re-nominating Governor Ebe W. Tunnell". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. July 24, 1900. p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Peter J. Ford Named for Governor". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 12, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  3. ^ "Peter J. Ford Succumbs at Age 75 Yrs". News Journal. Wilmington, Del. June 13, 1933. pp. 1, 28. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  4. ^ "Republicans Nominate a Ticket". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 22, 1900. pp. 1, 3, 5. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "String to All the Nominations". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 7, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Republicans Fail to Harmonize". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 13, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Union Republicans Reject Dr. Ball". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 19, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "Republican Primaries on October 6". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 22, 1900. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  9. ^ 1901 Senate Journal, p. 48-49

Bibliography

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  • Delaware Senate Journal, 88th General Assembly, 1st Reg. Sess. (1901).