1854 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

1854 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 15, 1854 (1854-11-15)

Nominee Henry J. Gardner Emory Washburn Henry W. Bishop Party Know Nothing Whig Democratic Popular vote 81,503 27,279 13,742 Percentage 62.58% 20.94% 10.55%

Governor before election Emory Washburn Whig Elected Governor Henry J. Gardner Know Nothing

Gubernatorial elections were held in Massachusetts on November 15, 1854. Know-Nothing candidate Henry J. Gardner was elected to his first term as Governor, defeating incumbent Whig Governor Emory Washburn.

Future Senator and Vice President of the United States Henry Wilson also ran as a candidate for the Free Soil party.

Candidates

Democratic

• Henry W. Bishop, candidate for Governor in 1852 and 1853

Democratic-Hunker

• Bradford L. Wales, candidate for Governor in 1853

Independent Free Soil

• Charles Allen, former U.S. Representative for Massachusetts's 5th congressional district

Free Soil

• Henry Wilson, former President of the Massachusetts Senate and candidate for Governor in 1853

Native American (Know-Nothing)

• Henry J. Gardner, Member of the Boston City Council

Whig

• Emory Washburn, incumbent Governor

General election

Governor

1854 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Know Nothing	Henry J. Gardner	81,503	62.58%	New
	Whig	Emory Washburn	27,279	20.94%	25.00
	Democratic	Henry W. Bishop	13,742	10.55%	16.67
	Free Soil	Henry Wilson	6,483	4.98%	17.53
	Independent Free Soil	Charles Allen	477	0.37%	N/A
	Democratic-Hunker	Bradford L. Wales	477	0.37%	3.88
	Others	Others	288	0.22%
	Know Nothing gain from Whig		Swing