1805 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

The 1805 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election occurred on October 8, 1805. Incumbent governor Thomas McKean won a contentious election over the endorsed Democratic-Republican candidate, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Simon Snyder.

1805 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

October 8, 1805 (1805-10-08)
 
Nominee Thomas McKean Simon Snyder
Party Constitutionalist Democratic-Republican
Alliance Federalist
Popular vote 43,644 38,483
Percentage 53.1% 46.9%

County Results
McKean:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Snyder:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Unknown/No Vote:      

Governor before election

Thomas McKean
Constitutionalist

Elected Governor

Thomas McKean
Constitutionalist

Although the Democratic-Republicans united behind the McKean ticket in each of the prior two election cycles, by 1805, the party had divided into moderate and radical wings. The former sought to balance the political power of the traditional elite and the lower classes; this group additionally supported liberal economic policies. The latter sought to directly increase political and economic opportunities for poor and working men. After the radicals took control of the state legislature under Snyder, they clashed with the moderate aligned McKean. Democratic-Republican newspapers were dominated by radical interests, and the press vociferously denounced McKean's support for strong executive and judicial power. The governor formed a working alliance with the Federalists called "the quids" and began to purge radicals from appointed offices. McKean ultimately won reelection by a six point margin.

Results

1805 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election[1]
Party Candidate Popular votes
Count Percent
Constitutionalist Thomas McKean (incumbent) 43,674 53.07
Democratic-Republican Simon Snyder 38,529 46.82
Others 97 0.12
Totals 82,300 100.0%

References

  1. Lampi, Philip. "Pennsylvania 1805 Governor". A New Nation Votes. Tufts University. Retrieved August 28, 2021.
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