1856 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Gubernatorial elections were held in Massachusetts on November 4, 1856. Incumbent Know-Nothing Governor Henry J. Gardner was re-elected to a third term, though his support largely came from his endorsement on the Republican Party ticket.

1856 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 4, 1856

Nominee Henry J. Gardner Erasmus Beach George W. Gordon Party Know Nothing Democratic Independent Alliance Republican Popular vote 92,467 40,082 10,385 Percentage 58.92% 25.54% 6.62%

Governor before election Henry J. Gardner Know Nothing Elected Governor Henry J. Gardner Know Nothing

This was the last election in which the Whig Party participated.

Whig convention

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall, former U.S. consul at London (1816–54)
• Luther Vose Bell, Superintendent of McLean Asylum and candidate for U.S. Representative in 1852 and 1854

1856 Massachusetts Whig convention[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Whig	Luther Vose Bell	215	56.58%
	Whig	Thomas Aspinwall	104	27.37%
	Whig	Scattering	61	16.05%
Total votes			380	100.00%

Know-Nothing convention

The American Party convention was held at Faneuil Hall, Boston, on July 24, 1856.

Candidates

• Henry J. Gardner, incumbent Governor

1856 Massachusetts Know-Nothing convention[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Know Nothing	Henry J. Gardner	unanimous

General election

Democratic

• Erasmus Beach, nominee for Governor in 1855

Independent

• George W. Gordon (on the "Fillmore American" ticket)
• Josiah Quincy III, former Mayor of Boston

Republican

• Henry J. Gardner, incumbent Governor

American (Know-Nothing)

• Henry J. Gardner, incumbent Governor

Whig

• Luther Vose Bell, Superintendent of McLean Asylum

Results

1856 Massachusetts gubernatorial election[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Know Nothing	Henry J. Gardner
	Republican	Henry J. Gardner
	Total	Henry J. Gardner	92,467	58.92%	N/A
	Democratic	Erasmus D. Beach	40,082	25.54%	0.10
	Independent	George W. Gordon	10,385	6.62%	N/A
	Whig	Luther Vose Bell	7,075	4.51%	5.23
	Independent	Josiah Quincy III	5,625	3.59%	N/A
	Scattering	All others	1,291	0.82%	0.63
Total votes			136,488	100.00%
	Know Nothing hold		Swing

References

1. "MA Governor - W Convention".
2. "Governor Gardner's Letter of Acceptance--His Indorsement of John C. Fremont". New York Times. New York, NY. 30 July 1856. p. 1. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
3. "1856 Massachusetts governor results".