1854 Maine gubernatorial election

1854 Maine gubernatorial election

11 September 1854

Nominee Anson Morrill Albion Parris Isaac Reed Party Know Nothing Democratic Whig Popular vote 44,565 28,462 14,001 Percentage 49.17% 31.40% 15.45%

County results Morrill:      30–40%      40–50%      50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Reed:      30–40%

Governor before election William G. Crosby Whig Elected Governor Anson Morrill Know Nothing

The 1854 Maine gubernatorial election was held on 11 September 1854 in order to elect the Governor of Maine. Know Nothing nominee Anson Morrill defeated Democratic nominee and former Governor Albion Parris, Whig nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's 4th district Isaac Reed and Liberty Party nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's 4th district Shepard Cary. However, as no candidate received a majority of the total votes cast as was required by Maine law, the election was forwarded to the Maine legislature, who chose Morrill as governor.

General election

On election day, 11 September 1854, Know Nothing nominee Anson Morrill won the election by a margin of 16,103 votes against his foremost opponent Democratic nominee and former Governor Albion Parris, thereby gaining Know Nothing control over the office of governor. Morrill was sworn in as the 24th Governor of Maine on 3 January 1855.

Results

Maine gubernatorial election, 1854

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Know Nothing	Anson Morrill	44,565	49.17
	Democratic	Albion Parris	28,462	31.40
	Whig	Isaac Reed	14,001	15.45
	Liberty	Shepard Cary	3,478	3.84
		Scattering	127	0.14
Total votes			90,633	100.00
	Know Nothing gain from Whig