1860 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Gubernatorial elections were held in Massachusetts on November 6, 1860. Incumbent Republican Governor Nathaniel Banks did not run for re-election to a fourth term. He was succeeded by Republican John Albion Andrew, a radical abolitionist.

1860 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 6, 1860

Nominee John Albion Andrew Erasmus Beach Amos Lawrence Party Republican Democratic Constitutional Union Popular vote 104,527 35,191 23,816 Percentage 61.63% 20.75% 14.04%

Governor before election Nathaniel Prentiss Banks Republican Elected Governor John Albion Andrew Republican

Republican convention

Candidates

• John Albion Andrew, State Representative from Boston
• Henry L. Dawes, U.S. Representative from Pittsfield
• John Z. Goodrich, former U.S. Representative from Stockbridge
• Ensign H. Kellogg, former State Senator from Pittsfield and Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Campaign

Incumbent Governor Nathaniel Banks, a moderate on the slavery issue, supported Congressman Henry L. Dawes as his successor. To give Dawes the greatest possible advantage at the state convention, Banks delayed his retirement announcement as long as possible. However, party chairman William Claflin leaked the news to U.S. Senator Charles Sumner, an abolitionist and supporter of John Albion Andrew. Sumner sprang the Andrew campaign into gear before Banks announced his retirement, allowing them to get the jump on Dawes.[1]

Two additional candidates joined the race: Ensign H. Kellogg and John Z. Goodrich. Both hailed from Berkshire County, like Dawes, and their campaigns may have eaten into his regional support there. By the time the convention opened, Andrew was the strong favorite.[2]

Results

The Republican State Convention was held in Worcester on August 29.

1860 Massachusetts Republican convention[3][4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Albion Andrew	733	68.50%
	Republican	Henry L. Dawes	326	30.47%
	Republican	Ensign Kellogg	7	0.65%
	Republican	John Z. Goodrich	4	0.37%
Total votes			1,070	100.00%

General election

Constitutional Union

• Amos Adams Lawrence, textile magnate and American Party candidate for Governor in 1858

Democratic (Breckinridge)

• Benjamin Franklin Butler, State Senator from Lowell and Democratic nominee for Governor in 1859

Democratic (Douglas)

• Erasmus Beach, Democratic nominee for Governor from 1855 through 1858

Republican

• John Albion Andrew, State Representative from Boston

Results

1860 Massachusetts gubernatorial election[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John Albion Andrew	104,527	61.63%	7.61
	Democratic	Erasmus Beach	35,191	20.75%	11.70
	Constitutional Union	Amos Adams Lawrence	23,816	14.04%	New
	Southern Democratic	Benjamin Franklin Butler	6,000	3.54%	New
	Scattering	All others	75	0.04%	0.29
Total votes			169,609	100.00%
	Republican hold		Swing

References

1. Pearson, Henry (1904). The Life of John A. Andrew. Cambridge, MA: Houghton, Mifflin. pp. 119–20. OCLC 1453615.
2. Pearson, Henry (1904). The Life of John A. Andrew. Cambridge, MA: Houghton, Mifflin. pp. 122–23. OCLC 1453615.
3. "Massachusetts Republican State Convention". The New York Times. 30 Aug 1860. p. 1. Retrieved 9 Oct 2020.
4. Pearson, Henry (1904). The Life of John A. Andrew. Cambridge, MA: Houghton, Mifflin. p. 123. OCLC 1453615.
5. "1860 Massachusetts governor results".