1845–46 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1845–46 Massachusetts gubernatorial election consisted of an initial popular election held on November 10, 1845^[1] that was followed by a legislative vote held on January 12, 1846. 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 defeated Democratic nominee Isaac Davis, Liberty Party nominee Samuel E. Sewall and Know Nothing nominee Henry Shaw.

1845–46 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1844 November 10, 1845 (popular election) January 12, 1846 (legislative vote) 1846 →

Nominee George N. Briggs Isaac Davis Party Whig Democratic Popular election 51,638 48.75% 37,427 35.33% Senate vote unanimous 0   Nominee Samuel E. Sewall Henry Shaw Party Liberty Know Nothing Popular election 8,316 7.85% 8,089 7.64%

Governor before election George N. Briggs Whig Elected Governor George N. Briggs Whig

General election

Candidates

• George N. Briggs, incumbent Governor (Whig)
• Isaac Davis, member of the Massachusetts Senate from Worcester (Democratic)
• Frederick Robinson, former President of the Massachusetts Senate (Independent Democratic)
• Samuel E. Sewall, lawyer and candidate for Governor in 1842, 1843, and 1844 (Liberty)
• Henry Shaw, former U.S. Representative from Lanesboro (Native American)^[2][3]

Results

1845 Massachusetts gubernatorial election^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Whig	George N. Briggs	51,638	48.75%
	Democratic	Isaac Davis	37,427	35.33%
	Liberty	Samuel E. Sewall	8,316	7.85%
	Know Nothing	Henry Shaw	8,089	7.64%
	Independent Democrat	Frederick Robinson	368	0.35%
	Scattering		86	0.08%
Majority			14,211	13.42%
Turnout			105,924

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.^[9]

The House sent the names of Briggs and Davis to the Senate on January 10.^[10][11][12]

The legislative election was held on January 12, 1846.^[11][13]

Legislative election^[10][12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Whig	George N. Briggs	unanimous
	Whig hold

References

1. "Elections". Mobile register and journal. Mobile, Ala. November 10, 1845. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
2. "Massachusetts". American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. Baltimore, Md. August 4, 1845. p. 4. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
3. "Political". The New York herald. New York, N.Y. August 7, 1845. p. 1. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
4. "MA Governor, 1845". Our Campaigns. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
5. Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 142–143. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
6. Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. p. 58. ISBN 1-56802-396-0.
7. Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-7864-1439-0.
8. Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. p. 277. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.
9. "Massachusetts Constitution". The General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
10. Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S., eds. (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Vol. I. Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: Oceana Publications, Inc. p. 294. ISBN 0-379-00665-0.
11. "Massachusetts". New-York daily tribune. New-York, N.Y. January 13, 1846. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
12. "Massachusetts". Weekly national intelligencer. Washington, D.C. January 17, 1846. p. 4. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
13. "Massachusetts". Der Lecha Patriot und Northampton Demokrat. Allentaun, Pa. January 28, 1846. p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2022.