1849–50 Massachusetts gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1849–50 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Country:Massachusetts
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1848 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1848
Next Election:1850 Massachusetts gubernatorial election
Next Year:1850
Election Date:November 12, 1849 (popular election)
January 7, 1850 (legislative vote)
1Blank:Popular election
2Blank:Senate vote
Image1:File:George Nixon Briggs (cropped) (1).jpg
Nominee1:George N. Briggs
Party1:Whig Party (United States)
2Data1:23
65.71%
Popular Vote1:54,009
Percentage1:49.33%
Nominee2:George S. Boutwell
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
2Data2:12
34.29%
Popular Vote2:30,040
Percentage2:27.44%
Image3:File:Stephen Clarendon Phillips (1).png
Nominee3:Stephen C. Phillips
Party3:Free Soil Party
2Data3:Did not qualify
Popular Vote3:25,247
Percentage3:23.06%
Governor
Before Election:George N. Briggs
Before Party:Whig Party (United States)
After Election:George N. Briggs
After Party:Whig Party (United States)

The 1849–50 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 12, 1949[1] that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 7, 1850. The ultimate task of electing the governor had been placed before the Massachusetts General Court because no candidate received the majority of the vote required for a candidate to be elected through the popular election. Incumbent Whig Governor George N. Briggs won the legislative vote and was therefore elected, defeating Democratic nominee George S. Boutwell and Free Soil nominee Stephen C. Phillips.

General election

Candidates

Legislative election

As no candidate received a majority of the vote, the Massachusetts General Court was required to decide the election. Under Article III of the Constitution of Massachusetts, the House of Representatives chose two candidates from the top four vote-getters, the Senate electing the Governor from the House's choice.[3]

Contemporary sources only record the House's vote as Briggs 157, Phillips 63, Boutwell 59, which would result in the nomination of Briggs but not Boutwell.[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

The legislative election was held on January 7, 1850.

Notes and References

  1. News: . November 6, 1849 . Elections . The daily union . Washington, D.C. . 3 . 31 October 2022 .
  2. Web site: Gov. George Sewall Boutwell . . www.nga.org . National Governors Association . 31 October 2022 .
  3. Web site: Massachusetts Constitution . . The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . 31 October 2022 .
  4. News: . January 10, 1850 . Governor of Massachusetts . The republic . Washington, D.C. . 2 . 31 October 2022 .
  5. News: . January 12, 1850 . Election of Governor of Massachusetts . Weekly national intelligencer . Washington, D.C. . 5 . 31 October 2022 .
  6. News: . January 17, 1850 . Election of Governor in Massachusetts . The national era . Washington, D.C. . 11. 31 October 2022 .
  7. News: . January 17, 1850 . Election of Gov. Briggs . Virginia free press . Charlestown, Va. . 3 . 31 October 2022 .
  8. News: . January 18, 1850 . Governor of Massachusetts . The Lancaster gazette . Lancaster, Ohio . 2 . 31 October 2022 .
  9. News: . January 18, 1850 . Governor of Massachusetts . The daily crescent . New Orleans, La. . 2 . 31 October 2022 .
  10. News: . February 27, 1850 . Communicated . The Minnesota pioneer . St. Paul, Minn. Territory . 2 . 31 October 2022 .

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