1846 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

The 1846 New Hampshire gubernatorial election was held on 10 March 1846 in order to elect the Governor of New Hampshire. Whig nominee Anthony Colby defeated Democratic nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire's At-large district (Seat 3) Jared W. Williams and Free Soil Party nominee and former member of the New Hampshire Senate Nathaniel S. Berry. Since no candidate received a majority in the popular vote, Colby was elected by the New Hampshire General Court per the state constitution, despite placing second in the popular vote.[1]

1846 New Hampshire gubernatorial election

← 1845 10 March 1846 1847 →
 
Nominee Anthony Colby Jared W. Williams Nathaniel S. Berry
Party Whig Democratic Free Soil
Popular vote 17,737 26,740 10,403
Percentage 31.99% 48.23% 18.76%

County results
Colby:      40–50%
Williams:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%

Governor before election

John Hardy Steele
Democratic

Elected Governor

Anthony Colby
Whig

General election

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On election day, 10 March 1846, Democratic nominee Jared W. Williams won the popular vote by a margin of 9,003 votes against his foremost opponent Whig nominee Anthony Colby. But because no candidate received a majority of the popular vote, a separate election was held by the New Hampshire General Court, which chose Whig nominee Anthony Colby as the winner, despite Colby having only received 31.99% of the vote and having placed second. Colby thereby gained Whig control over the office of Governor, he was sworn in as the 20th Governor of New Hampshire on 4 June 1846.[2]

Results

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New Hampshire gubernatorial election, 1846
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig Anthony Colby 17,737 31.99
Democratic Jared W. Williams 26,740 48.23
Free Soil Nathaniel S. Berry 10,403 18.76
Scattering 568 1.02
Total votes 55,448 100.00
Whig gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^ "Anthony Colby". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  2. ^ "NH Governor". ourcampaigns.com. 4 June 2005. Retrieved 2 April 2024.