1859 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

1859 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 2, 1859 (1859-11-02)

File:Nathaniel Banks pre-war (cropped).jpg File:Benjamin F. Butler circa 1847 (cropped).jpg File:George Briggs Photograph - NARA - 192902 (cropped).jpg Nominee Nathaniel Banks Benjamin Butler George N. Briggs Party Republican Democratic Know Nothing Popular vote 58,804 35,326 14,365 Percentage 54.02% 32.45% 13.20%

File:1859 Massachusetts gubernatorial election results map by county.svg County results Banks:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%

Governor before election Nathaniel Prentiss Banks Republican Elected Governor Nathaniel Prentiss Banks Republican

The 1859 Massachusetts gubernatorial elections was held on November 2. Incumbent Republican governor Nathaniel Banks was easily re-elected to a third term in office in a race featuring three governors of Massachusetts: incumbent governor Banks, former governor George Nixon Briggs (1844–51), and future governor Benjamin Franklin Butler (1882–83).

General election

Candidates

• Nathaniel Prentiss Banks, incumbent governor (Republican)
• George Nixon Briggs, former governor of Massachusetts (1844–51) (American)
• Benjamin Franklin Butler, state senator from Lowell (Democratic)

Results

1859 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Nathaniel Prentiss Banks (incumbent)	58,804	54.02%	Decrease3.59
	Democratic	Benjamin Franklin Butler	35,326	32.45%	Increase0.33
	Know Nothing	George Nixon Briggs	14,365	13.20%	Increase3.07
Total votes			108,140	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing

See also

• 1859 Massachusetts legislature