1856 Missouri gubernatorial election

The 1856 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on August 2, 1852, the Democratic nominee, Trusten Polk, defeated Know-Nothing candidate Robert C. Ewing (running under the American Party label), and former Senator Thomas H. Benton. Benton ran as an Independent Democrat under the label "Benton Democrat."

1856 Missouri gubernatorial election
← 1852 August 4, 1856 1857 (special) →
 
Nominee Trusten Polk Robert C. Ewing Thomas H. Benton
Party Democratic Know Nothing Independent Democrat
Popular vote 46,993 40,589 27,618
Percentage 40.79% 35.23% 23.97%

County Results
Polk:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      >90%
Ewing:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%
Benton:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%
     No Data

Governor before election

Sterling Price
Democratic

Elected Governor

Trusten Polk
Democratic

In February 1857, Trusten Polk would be elected to the United States Senate; he therefore resigned the governorship, was replaced by Lt. Gov. Hancock Lee Jackson, and forced a special election to be called for August 1857 to fill the remainder of the term.[1]

General election

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Candidates

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  • Thomas Hart Benton, former U.S. Senator (1821–51) and U.S. Representative (1853–55) from St. Louis (Benton Democratic)
  • Robert C. Ewing (American)
  • Trusten Polk, St. Louis attorney (Democratic)

Results

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1856 gubernatorial election, Missouri[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Trusten Polk 46,993 40.79 −17.93
Know Nothing Robert C. Ewing 40,589 35.23 +35.23
"Benton Democrat" Thomas H. Benton 27,618 23.97 +23.97
Majority 6,404 5.56 −11.88
Turnout 115,200 16.89
Democratic hold Swing

References

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  1. ^ "SOS, Missouri – State Archives: Governors". Sos.mo.gov. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  2. ^ Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson: McFarland & Company. pp. 141–142. ISBN 9780786414390.