1855 Connecticut gubernatorial election
The 1855 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on April 2, 1855.[1][2][3] Former state legislator and American Party nominee William T. Minor defeated former congressman and Democratic nominee Samuel Ingham and incumbent governor and Whig nominee Henry Dutton with 43.51% of the vote.
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 Municipal results Minor: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Ingham: 30–40% 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Dutton: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Connecticut |
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The results reflected the national transition from the Second Party System to the Third Party System. The Know Nothings would win the first of two such elections, and the incumbent Whig Party's vote share collapsed, with Dutton finishing a distant third.
Although Minor won a plurality of the vote, he did not receive a majority. As a result, the Connecticut General Assembly elected the governor, per the state constitution. Minor won the vote over Ingham, 117 to 70, in the General Assembly, and became the governor.
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates
- William T. Minor, American or Know Nothing
- Samuel Ingham, Democratic
- Henry Dutton, Whig
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Know Nothing | William T. Minor | 28,080 | 43.51% | ||
| Democratic | Samuel Ingham | 27,292 | 42.29% | ||
| Whig | Henry Dutton (incumbent) | 9,162 | 14.20% | ||
| Plurality | 788 | ||||
| Turnout | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Know Nothing | William T. Minor | 117 | 62.57% | ||
| Democratic | Samuel Ingham | 70 | 37.43% | ||
| Majority | 47 | ||||
| Know Nothing gain from Whig | Swing | ||||
References
- "Connecticut Election". Alexandria gazette. Alexandria, D.C. April 4, 1855. p. 2. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- "Connecticut Elections". Daily American organ. Washington, D.C. April 4, 1855. p. 2. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- "Connecticut". Eastern times. Bath, Me. April 5, 1855. p. 3. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson: McFarland & Company. p. 25. ISBN 9780786414390.