1888 Connecticut gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1888 Connecticut gubernatorial election
Country:Connecticut
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1886 Connecticut gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1886
Next Election:1890 Connecticut gubernatorial election
Next Year:1890
Election Date:November 6, 1888
Image1:Morgan G Bulkeley (3x4a).jpg
Nominee1:Morgan Bulkeley
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Electoral Vote1:159
Popular Vote1:73,659
Percentage1:47.94%
Nominee2:Luzon B. Morris
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Electoral Vote2:95
Popular Vote2:75,074
Percentage2:48.86%
Map Size:220px
Governor
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Morgan Bulkeley
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1888 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1888. Republican nominee Morgan Bulkeley defeated Democratic nominee Luzon B. Morris with 47.94% of the vote.

This was the third (and last) consecutive gubernatorial election in which the Republican-controlled state legislature elected the candidate who received fewer votes. It was also the last such election to be determined by the state legislature. The law at the time specified that if no candidate received a majority, the state legislature would decide the election. Coincidentally, this election ran concurrent with the US Presidential election, in which Republican nominee Benjamin Harrison was elected president by the Electoral College, despite receiving fewer votes than incumbent Democrat Grover Cleveland.

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

Other candidates

Legislative election

As no candidate received a majority of the vote, the Connecticut General Assembly was required to decide the election, both Houses in convention choosing among the top two vote-getters, Bulkeley and Morris. The legislative election was held on January 10, 1889.