Notes on U.S. gubernatorial elections, 1851-1860
(Dark blue: Democratic hold. Light blue: Democratic gain.
Dark yellow: Whig hold. Light yellow: Whig gain.
Dark red: Republican hold. Light red: Republican gain.
Dark purple: Know Nothing hold. Light purple: Know Nothing gain.)
1851
Starting position: Dem 24, Whig 6, Ind 1.
Successions pre-election
California. 1851 Jan. J. McDougal (Ind Dem) succeeded P. Burnett (Ind Dem), resigned.
Mississippi. 1851 Feb. J. Guion (Dem) succeeded J. Quitman (Dem), resigned.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1851 Mar. No majority. Legislature re-elected S. Dinsmoor Jr. (Dem).
Connecticut. 1851 Apr. No majority. Legislature re-elected T. Seymour (Dem).
Rhode Island. 1851 Apr. P. Allen (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Whig.
Alabama. 1851 Aug. H. Collier (Dem) re-elected.
Kentucky. 1851 Aug. L. Powell (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Whig.
Tennessee. 1851 Aug. W. Campbell (Whig) elected.
Whig gain from Dem.
Texas. 1851 Aug. P. Bell (Dem) re-elected.
California. 1851 Sep. J. Bigler (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Ind.
Vermont. 1851 Sep. C. Williams (Whig) re-elected.
Georgia. 1851 Oct. H. Cobb (Const. Union †) elected.
Const. Union gain from Dem.
Ohio. 1851 Oct. R. Wood (Dem) re-elected.
Pennsylvania. 1851 Oct. W. Bigler (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Whig.
Massachusetts. 1851 Nov. No majority. Legislature re-elected G. Boutwell (Dem).
Michigan. 1851 Nov. R. McClelland (Dem) elected. Shortened term.
Mississippi. 1851 Nov. H. Foote (Union Dem) elected.
Wisconsin. 1851 Nov. L. Farwell (Whig) elected.
Whig gain from Dem.
Virginia. 1851 Dec. J. Johnson (Dem) elected.
† Some sources give Cobb as a 'Union Democratic' candidate.
Closing position: Dem 25, Whig 5, Ind 1.
(Orange: Const. Union win - Georgia)
Successions post-election
Mississippi. 1851 Nov. J. Whitfield (Dem) succeeded J. Guion (Dem), term as Senate president expired. (Pre inauguration).
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1852
Starting position: Dem 25, Whig 5, Ind 1.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1852 Mar. N. Martin (Dem) elected.
Connecticut. 1852 Apr. T. Seymour (Dem) re-elected.
Rhode Island. 1852 Apr. P. Allen (Dem) re-elected.
Arkansas. 1852 Aug. E. Conway (Dem) elected.
Missouri. 1852 Aug. S. Price (Dem) elected.
North Carolina. 1852 Aug. D. Reid (Dem) re-elected.
Maine. 1852 Sep. No majority. Legislature elected W. Crosby (Whig).
Whig gain from Dem.
Vermont. 1852 Sep. E. Fairbanks (Whig) elected.
Florida. 1852 Oct. J. Broome (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Whig.
Indiana. 1852 Oct. J. Wright (Dem) re-elected.
Illinois. 1852 Nov. J. Matteson (Dem) elected.
Massachusetts. 1852 Nov. No majority. Legislature elected J. Clifford (Whig).
Whig gain from Dem.
Michigan. 1852 Nov. R. McClelland (Dem) re-elected.
New York. 1852 Nov. H. Seymour (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Whig.
South Carolina. 1852 Dec. J. Manning (Dem) elected.
Louisiana. 1852 Dec. (Special) P. Hebert (Dem) elected.
Closing position: Dem 25, Whig 5, Const. Union 1.
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1853
Starting position: Dem 25, Whig 5, Const. Union 1.
Successions pre-election
Michigan. 1853 Mar. A. Parsons (Dem) succeeded R. McClelland (Dem), resigned.
Ohio. 1853 Jul. W. Medill (Dem) succeeded R. Wood (Dem), resigned.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1853 Mar. N. Martin (Dem) re-elected.
Connecticut. 1853 Apr. T. Seymour (Dem) re-elected.
Rhode Island. 1853 Apr. P. Allen (Dem) re-elected.
Alabama. 1853 Aug. J. Winston (Dem) elected.
Tennessee. 1853 Aug. A. Johnson (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Whig.
Texas. 1853 Aug. E. Pease (Dem) elected.
California. 1853 Sep. J. Bigler (Dem) re-elected.
Maine. 1853 Sep. No majority. Legislature re-elected W. Crosby (Whig).
Vermont. 1853 Sep. No majority. Legislature elected J. Robinson (Dem).
Dem gain from Whig.
Georgia. 1853 Oct. H. Johnson (States Rights-Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Const. Union.
Ohio. 1853 Oct. W. Medill (Dem) elected in his own right.
Maryland. 1853 Nov. T. Ligon (Dem) elected.
Massachusetts. 1853 Nov. No majority. Legislature elected E. Washburn (Whig).
Mississippi. 1853 Nov. J. McRae (Dem) elected.
New Jersey. 1853 Nov. R. Price (Dem) elected.
Wisconsin. 1853 Nov. W. Barstow (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Whig.
Closing position: Dem 29, Whig 2.
Successions post-election
Rhode Island. 1853 Jul. F. Dimond (Dem) succeeded P. Allen (Dem), resigned.
Connecticut. 1853 Oct. C. Pond (Dem) succeeded T. Seymour (Dem), resigned.
Texas. 1853 Nov. J. Henderson (Dem) succeeded P. Bell (Dem), resigned (Pre inauguration).
Mississippi. 1854 Jan. J. Pettus (Dem) succeeded H. Foote (Union Dem), resigned (Pre inauguration).
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1854
(The period from 1854 to 1857 was one of great fluidity, encompassing the fall of the Whig Party, the rise and fall of the American (Know Nothing) Party, and the rise of the Republican Party. Although party labels are usually fairly clear, candidates were often nominated on fusion tickets of two or more parties. Candidates have been given according to their primary party designation.)
Starting position: Dem 29, Whig 2.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1854 Mar. N. Baker (Dem) elected.
Connecticut. 1854 Apr. No majority. Legislature elected H. Dutton (Whig).
Whig gain from Dem.
Rhode Island. 1854 Apr. W. Hoppin (Whig) elected.
Whig gain from Dem.
Iowa. 1854 Aug. J. Grimes (Whig †) elected.
Whig gain from Dem.
North Carolina. 1854 Aug. T. Bragg (Dem) elected.
Maine. 1854 Sep. No majority. Legislature elected A. Morrill (Rep ‡).
Rep gain from Whig.
Vermont. 1854 Sep. S. Royce (Whig) elected.
Whig gain from Dem.
Pennsylvania. 1854 Oct. J. Pollock (Whig) elected.
Whig gain from Dem.
Delaware. 1854 Nov. P. Causey (American) elected.
American gain from Dem.
Massachusetts. 1854 Nov. H. Gardner (American) elected.
American gain from Whig.
Michigan. 1854 Nov. K. Bingham (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Dem.
New York. 1854 Nov. M. Clark (Whig) elected.
Whig gain from Dem.
South Carolina. 1854 Dec. J. Adams (Dem) elected.
† Grimes was involved in the foundation of the Iowa Republican Party in 1856, but most sources record him as a Whig throughout his term. The 1857 result in Iowa is therefore given as a Republican gain rather than a hold.
‡ Some sources give Morrill as a Republican candidate in 1854, whereas others give him as a Know Nothing-Maine Law fusion candidate. He was defeated for re-election in 1855 as a Republican.
Closing position: Dem 21, Whig 6, American 2, Rep 2.
Successions post-election
North Carolina. 1854 Dec. W. Winslow (Dem) succeeded D. Reid (Dem), resigned (Pre inauguration).
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1855
Starting position: Dem 21, Whig 6, American 2, Rep 2.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1855 Mar. R. Metcalf (American) elected.
American gain from Dem.
Connecticut. 1855 Apr. No majority. Legislature elected W. Minor (American).
American gain from Whig.
Rhode Island. 1855 Apr. W. Hoppin (Whig) re-elected.
Virginia. 1855 May. H. Wise (Dem) elected.
Alabama. 1855 Aug. J. Winston (Dem) re-elected.
Kentucky. 1855 Aug. C. Morehead (American) elected.
American gain from Dem.
Tennessee. 1855 Aug. A. Johnson (Dem) re-elected.
Texas. 1855 Aug. E. Pease (Dem) re-elected.
California. 1855 Sep. J. Johnson (American) elected.
American gain from Dem.
Maine. 1855 Sep. No majority. Legislature elected S. Wells (Dem).
Dem gain from Rep.
Vermont. 1855 Sep. S. Royce (Whig) re-elected as Rep.
Rep gain from Whig.
Georgia. 1855 Oct. H. Johnson (States Rights-Dem) re-elected as Dem.
Ohio. 1855 Oct. S. Chase (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Dem.
Louisiana. 1855 Nov. R. Wickcliffe (Dem) elected.
Massachusetts. 1855 Nov. H. Gardner (American) re-elected.
Mississippi. 1855 Nov. J. McRae (Dem) re-elected.
Wisconsin. 1855 Nov. W. Barstow (Dem) re-elected in disputed election.
Closing position: Dem 18, American 6, Whig 4, Rep 3.
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1856
Starting position: Dem 18, American 6, Whig 4, Rep 3.
Successions pre-election
Wisconsin. 1856 Mar. A. MacArthur (Dem) succeeded W. Barstow (Dem), resigned.
Wisconsin. 1856 Mar. C. Bashford (Rep) declared winner of disputed election.
Rep gain from Dem.
Starting position: Dem 17, American 6, Whig 4, Rep 4.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1856 Mar. No majority. Legislature re-elected R. Metcalf (American †).
Connecticut. 1856 Apr. No majority. Legislature re-elected W. Minor (American).
Rhode Island. 1856 Apr. W. Hoppin (Whig) re-elected as Rep.
Rep gain from Whig.
Arkansas. 1856 Aug. E. Conway (Dem) re-elected.
Missouri. 1856 Aug. T. Polk (Dem) elected.
North Carolina. 1856 Aug. T. Bragg (Dem) re-elected.
Maine. 1856 Sep. H. Hamlin (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Dem.
Vermont. 1856 Sep. R. Fletcher (Rep) elected.
Florida. 1856 Oct. M. Perry (Dem) elected.
Indiana. 1856 Oct. A. Willard (Dem) elected.
Illinois. 1856 Nov. W. Bissell (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Dem.
Massachusetts. 1856 Nov. H. Gardner (American ‡) re-elected.
Michigan. 1856 Nov. K. Bingham (Rep) re-elected.
New Jersey. 1856 Nov. W. Newell (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Dem.
New York. 1856 Nov. J. King (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Whig.
South Carolina. 1856 Dec. R. Allston (Dem) elected.
† Metcalf was not opposed by a Republican candidate and some sources suggest he was a Republican candidate in the 1856 election.
‡ Gardner was also supported by the Republicans. In return he supported John Fremont in the presidential election, and was opposed in the gubernatorial election by a 'Fillmore American' candidate.
Closing position: Dem 14, Rep 9, American 6, Whig 2.
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1857
Starting position: Dem 14, Rep 9, American 6, Whig 2.
Successions pre-election
Maine. 1857 Feb. J. Williams (Rep) succeeded H. Hamlin (Rep), resigned.
Missouri. 1857 Feb. (Special) H. Jackson (Dem) succeeded T. Polk (Dem), resigned.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1857 Mar. W. Haile (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from American.
Connecticut. 1857 Apr. A. Holley (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from American.
Rhode Island. 1857 Apr. E. Dyer (Rep) elected.
Alabama. 1857 Aug. A. Moore (Dem) elected.
Tennessee. 1857 Aug. I. Harris (Dem) elected.
Texas. 1857 Aug. H. Runnels (Dem) elected.
Missouri. 1857 Aug. R. Stewart (Dem) elected.
California. 1857 Sep. J. Weller (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from American.
Maine. 1857 Sep. L. Morrill (Rep) elected.
Vermont. 1857 Sep. R. Fletcher (Rep) re-elected.
Georgia. 1857 Oct. J. Brown (Dem) elected.
Iowa. 1857 Oct. R. Lowe (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Whig.
Minnesota. 1857 Oct. H. Sibley (Dem) elected.
Dem win (New state).
(Minnesota not admitted until 1858 May).
Mississippi. 1857 Oct. W. McWillie (Dem) elected.
Ohio. 1857 Oct. S. Chase (Rep) re-elected.
Pennsylvania. 1857 Oct. W. Packer (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Whig.
Maryland. 1857 Nov. T. Hicks (American †) elected.
American gain from Dem.
Massachusetts. 1857 Nov. N. Banks (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from American.
Wisconsin. 1857 Nov. A. Randall (Rep) elected.
† Hicks became a Unionist around 1860.
Closing position: Dem 16, Rep 13, American 3.
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1858
Starting position: Dem 16, Rep 13, American 3.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1858 Mar. W. Haile (Rep) re-elected.
Connecticut. 1858 Apr. W. Buckingham (Rep) elected.
Rhode Island. 1858 Apr. E. Dyer (Rep) re-elected.
Oregon. 1858 Jun. J. Whiteaker (Dem) elected.
Dem win (New state). (Oregon not admitted until 1859 Feb).
North Carolina. 1858 Aug. J. Ellis (Dem) elected.
Maine. 1858 Sep. L. Morrill (Rep) re-elected.
Vermont. 1858 Sep. H. Hall (Rep) elected.
Delaware. 1858 Nov. W. Burton (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from American.
Massachusetts. 1858 Nov. N. Banks (Rep) re-elected.
Michigan. 1858 Nov. M. Wisner (Rep) elected.
New York. 1858 Nov. E. Morgan (Rep) elected.
South Carolina. 1858 Dec. W. Gist (Dem) elected.
Closing position: Dem 18, Rep 13, American 2.
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1859
Starting position: Dem 18, Rep 13, American 2.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1859 Mar. I. Goodwin (Rep) elected.
Connecticut. 1859 Apr. W. Buckingham (Rep) re-elected.
Rhode Island. 1859 Apr. T. Turner (Rep) elected.
Virginia. 1859 May. J. Letcher (Dem) elected.
Alabama. 1859 Aug. A. Moore (Dem) re-elected.
Kentucky. 1859 Aug. B. Magoffin (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from American.
Tennessee. 1859 Aug. I. Harris (Dem) re-elected.
Texas. 1859 Aug. S. Houston (Ind Dem) elected.
Ind gain from Dem.
California. 1859 Sep. M. Latham (Lecompton Dem) elected.
Maine. 1859 Sep. L. Morrill (Rep) re-elected.
Vermont. 1859 Sep. H. Hall (Rep) re-elected.
Georgia. 1859 Oct. J. Brown (Dem) re-elected.
Iowa. 1859 Oct. S. Kirkwood (Rep) elected.
Mississippi. 1859 Oct. J. Pettus (Dem) elected.
Ohio. 1859 Oct. W. Dennison (Rep) elected.
Louisiana. 1859 Nov. T. Moore (Dem) elected.
Massachusetts. 1859 Nov. N. Banks (Rep) re-elected.
Minnesota. 1859 Nov. A. Ramsey (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Dem.
New Jersey. 1859 Nov. C. Olden (Rep) elected.
Wisconsin. 1859 Nov. A. Randall (Rep) re-elected.
Kansas. 1859 Dec. C. Robinson (Rep) elected.
Rep win (New state). (Kansas not admitted until 1861 Jan).
Closing position: Dem 17, Rep 15, American 1, Ind 1.
(Pale yellow: Ind win - Texas)
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1860
Starting position: Dem 17, Rep 15, American 1, Ind 1.
Successions pre-election
California. 1860 Jan. J. Downey (Dem) succeeded M. Latham (Dem), resigned.
Illinois. 1860 Mar. J. Wood (Rep) succeeded W. Bissell (Rep), deceased.
Indiana. 1860 Oct. A. Hammond (Dem) succeeded A. Willard (Dem), deceased.
Elections
New Hampshire. 1860 Mar. I. Goodwin (Rep) re-elected.
Connecticut. 1860 Apr. W. Buckingham (Rep) re-elected.
Rhode Island. 1860 Apr. W. Sprague (Dem) elected.
Dem gain from Rep.
Arkansas. 1860 Aug. H. Rector (Ind Dem) elected.
Ind gain from Dem.
Missouri. 1860 Aug. C. Jackson (Douglas Dem) elected.
North Carolina. 1860 Aug. J. Ellis (Dem) re-elected.
Maine. 1860 Sep. I. Washburn Jr. (Rep) elected.
Vermont. 1860 Sep. E. Fairbanks (Rep) elected.
Florida. 1860 Oct. J. Milton (Dem) elected.
Indiana. 1860 Oct. H. Lane (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Dem.
Pennsylvania. 1860 Oct. A. Curtin (Rep) elected.
Rep gain from Dem.
Illinois. 1860 Nov. R. Yates (Rep) elected.
Massachusetts. 1860 Nov. J. Andrew (Rep) elected.
Michigan. 1860 Nov. A. Blair (Rep) elected.
New York. 1860 Nov. E. Morgan (Rep) re-elected.
South Carolina. 1860 Dec. F. Pickens (Dem) elected.
Closing position: Rep 16, Dem 15, Ind 2, American 1 †.
† Thomas Hicks (Maryland), who became a Unionist around 1860.
(Pale yellow: Ind win - Arkansas)
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