1889 United States Senate election in Massachusetts explained

Election Name:1889 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1883 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
Previous Year:1883
Next Election:1895 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
Next Year:1895
Election Date:January 15, 1889
Votes For Election:Resolution of legislature needed to win
1Blank:Senate
2Blank:Percentage
3Blank:House
4Blank:Percentage
Image1:File:GFHoar.jpg
Nominee1:George Frisbie Hoar
Party1:Republican Party (US)
1Data1:32
2Data1:84.21%
3Data1:171
4Data1:75.33%
Nominee2:Patrick Collins
Party2:Democratic Party (US)
1Data2:6
2Data2:15.79%
3Data2:56
4Data2:24.67%
Senator
Before Election:George Frisbie Hoar
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:George Frisbie Hoar
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1889 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held in January 1889. Incumbent Republican Senator George Frisbie Hoar was re-elected to a third term in office with no serious opposition.

At the time, Massachusetts elected United States senators by a resolution of the Massachusetts General Court.

Background

State legislature

See main article: 1889 Massachusetts legislature.

At the time, the Massachusetts legislature was controlled by the Republican Party, as it had been since that party's founding, typically in dominant fashion. The 1888 election in particular, which coincided with the elections of President Benjamin Harrison and re-election of Governor Oliver Ames, returned the strongest Republican majority in eight years.

The Senate was composed of 33 Republicans and 7 Democrats, and the House had 181 Republicans, 58 Democrats, and 1 independent Democrat.

Candidates

Declared

Though Hoar remained unpopular with some younger elements of the party, including those in control of the party State Committee, no Republican candidate was willing to actively put their name forward in opposition to his election.[1] With the unanimous support of the Republican caucus, his re-election was guaranteed in advance. Democrats were expected to give an honorary vote to one of their party leaders, likely U.S. Representative Patrick Collins or Cambridge mayor William Russell, who had run as the party nominee for Governor in 1888.[2]

Election

Caucuses

In caucuses held on January 14, Republicans re-nominated Hoar unanimously. Democrats took two ballots to nominate Patrick Collins over William Russell.[3]

Election

Hoar was re-elected on January 15 in each house of the General Court, with the full support of his party.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Senator Hoar's Coming Re-election . 13 Jan 1889 . Leon . Boston Daily Globe . 3.
  2. News: Senator Hoar Will Be Re-Elected . The New York Times . 14 Jan 1889 . 1.
  3. News: Senator Hoar Re-Nominated by Caucus . Cincinnati Enquirer . 15 Jan 1889 . 2.
  4. News: Massachusetts Re-Elects Senator Hoar . Cincinnati Enquirer . 16 Jan 1889 . 1.