The 1916 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1916. Incumbent Republican Governor Charles R. Miller declined to run for re-election. At the time, the Republican Party was in the middle of a schism that had first developed during the 1912 presidential election.[1] However, the schism did not affect the gubernatorial nomination; though there were rumors that the state party convention might seek to nominate Governor Miller for a second term,[2] former State Representative John G. Townsend Jr. was seen as the frontrunner heading into the convention.[3] He received the nomination without much difficulty[4] and the Republican Party solidified around him its gubernatorial nominee.[1] The Democratic Party nominated former Secretary of State James H. Hughes, and both Townsend and Hughes advanced to the general election.
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 County results Townsend: 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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Though President Woodrow Wilson had won Delaware in 1912 with a plurality, he narrowly lost it this year. Though the gubernatorial race was still close, Townsend outperformed Republican presidential nominee Charles Evans Hughes and defeated Hughes by a five-point margin, winning 52% of the vote to Hughes's 47%.
Both Townsend and Hughes would later serve in the United States Senate, and they would serve together as Delaware's two U.S Senators from 1937 to 1941. Townsend served from 1929 to 1941, while Hughes served from 1937 to 1943.
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John G. Townsend Jr. | 26,673 | 52.08% | +5.13% | |
| Democratic | James H. Hughes | 24,053 | 46.96% | +2.66% | |
| Socialist | Frank A. Houck | 490 | 0.96% | −0.19% | |
| Majority | 2,620 | 5.12% | +2.46% | ||
| Turnout | 51,216 | 100.00% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
References
edit- ^ a b Munroe, John A. (2006). History of Delaware (5 ed.). Newark, Delaware.: University of Delaware Press. p. 182. ISBN 9780874139471.
- ^ "Handy's Friends on Move in Kent". Evening Journal. Wilmington, Del. August 4, 1916. p. 1. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ "Sussex County May Be in Control at Convention". News Journal. Wilmington, Del. August 17, 1916. p. 2. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ "Machine Steam-Roller Works, Senator du Post Re-Nominated at Dover; Rumor of Third Ticket". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 23, 1916. pp. 1–2. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ 1917 House Journal, p. 76-78
Bibliography
edit- Delaware House Journal, 96th General Assembly, 1st Reg. Sess. (1917).