| Election Name: | 1785 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Massachusetts |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1784 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1784 |
| Next Election: | 1786 Massachusetts gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1786 |
| Election Date: | 4 April 1785 |
| Nominee1: | James Bowdoin |
| Party1: | Nonpartisan politician |
| Popular Vote1: | 3,510 |
| Percentage1: | 44.07% |
| Nominee2: | Thomas Cushing |
| Party2: | Nonpartisan politician |
| Popular Vote2: | 3,005 |
| Percentage2: | 37.73% |
| Nominee3: | Benjamin Lincoln |
| Party3: | Nonpartisan politician |
| Popular Vote3: | 1,152 |
| Percentage3: | 14.46% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Thomas Cushing (Acting) |
| Before Party: | Nonpartisan politician |
| After Election: | James Bowdoin |
| After Party: | Nonpartisan politician |
The 1785 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on 4 April 1785 in order to elect the Governor of Massachusetts. Candidate James Bowdoin won a plurality of the vote against incumbent Acting Governor Thomas Cushing, candidate and former United States Secretary of War Benjamin Lincoln and candidate Oliver Prescott. However, as no candidate received a majority of all votes cast, the Massachusetts General Court elected Bowdoin Governor.[1]
On election day, 4 April 1785, Candidate James Bowdoin won the election by a margin of 505 votes against his foremost opponent incumbent Acting Governor Thomas Cushing, however as no candidate received a majority of the vote, the Massachusetts General Court elected Bowdoin Governor. Bowdoin was sworn in as the 2nd Governor of Massachusetts on 26 May 1785.[2]