| Election Name: | 1842 Connecticut gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Connecticut |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1841 Connecticut gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1841 |
| Next Election: | 1843 Connecticut gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1843 |
| Election Date: | April 4, 1842 |
| Image1: | File:Chauncey_Fitch_Cleveland_(Connecticut_Governor) (3x4a).jpg |
| Nominee1: | Chauncey Fitch Cleveland |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 25,564 |
| Percentage1: | 49.94% |
| Electoral Vote1: | 139 |
| Nominee2: | William W. Ellsworth |
| Party2: | Whig Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 23,790 |
| Percentage2: | 46.29% |
| Electoral Vote2: | 68 |
| Map Size: | 220px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | William W. Ellsworth |
| Before Party: | Whig Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Chauncey Fitch Cleveland |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1842 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on April 4, 1842.[1] [2] Former Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives and Democratic nominee Chauncey Fitch Cleveland was elected, defeating incumbent governor and Whig nominee William W. Ellsworth with 49.94% of the vote.
Cleveland won a plurality of the vote, but fell just short of a majority, by 107 votes. The state constitution at the time required the Connecticut General Assembly decide the election if no candidate won a majority of the vote. The state legislature voted 139 to 68 to elect Cleveland the governor.[3]
This was the first appearance of the Liberty Party in a Connecticut governor's race, and the first of Francis Gillette's ten attempts at seeking the governorship.
Major party candidates
Minor party candidates