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1861 Vermont gubernatorial election

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1861 Vermont gubernatorial election

← 1860 September 3, 1861 (1861-09-03) 1862 →
 
Nominee Frederick Holbrook Andrew Tracy Benjamin H. Smalley
Party Republican War Democrat Peace Democrat
Popular vote 33,152 5,722 3,190
Percentage 77.5% 13.4% 7.5%

County results
Holbrook:      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%

Governor before election

Erastus Fairbanks
Republican

Elected Governor

Frederick Holbrook
Republican

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The 1861 Vermont gubernatorial election for governor of Vermont was held on Tuesday, September 3. In keeping with the "Mountain Rule", incumbent Republican Erastus Fairbanks, who had also served as governor from 1852 to 1853, was not a candidate for a third one-year term. The Republican nominee was Frederick Holbrook, a former member of the Vermont Senate. With the Democratic Party split nationally over the response to the American Civil War, Andrew Tracy, a former member of the United States House of Representatives, was nominated by the People's Union Convention, which drew support from War Democrats and conservative Republicans. Benjamin H. Smalley ran as a Peace Democrat, representing Democrats who favored a compromise with the states that had formed the Confederacy.

Vermont continued to oppose slavery and support the Union, which was reflected in its support of Republican candidates. Holbrook easily defeated both Democrats and won a one-year term that began on October 15. Illness confined Holbrook at home for most of October, and he delayed traveling to Montpelier to take his oath of office until October 22.

General election

Results

1861 Vermont gubernatorial election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Frederick Holbrook 33,152 77.5%
War Democrat Andrew Tracy 5,722 13.4%
Peace Democrat Benjamin H. Smalley 3,190 7.5%
Scattering 732 1.6%
Total votes '42,796' '100'

References

  1. "State Election". The Vermonter. Vergennes, VT. August 30, 1861. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Armstrong, Howard E. (1955). Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 274 – via Google Books.
  3. Hand, Samuel B. (2003). "Mountain Rule Revisited" (PDF). Vermont History. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Historical Society. pp. 140, 143.
  4. "The Union People's Convention". The Daily Journal. Montpelier, VT. August 22, 1861. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Dell, Christopher (1975). Lincoln and the War Democrats: The Grand Erosion of Conservative Tradition. Teaneck, NJ: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-8386-1466-2 – via Google Books.
  6. "Legislative Proceedings: The House, October 15". The Weekly Times. Burlington, VT. October 19, 1861. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Walton; E. P., eds. (October 18, 1861). "Who Will Be Governor?". Watchman & State Journal. Montpelier, VT. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Howard, S. Jr., ed. (October 25, 1861). "Gov. Holbrook Took the Oath of Office on Tuesday". Lamoille Newsdealer. Hyde Park, VT. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
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