1855 Maine gubernatorial election

1855 Maine gubernatorial election

10 September 1855

Nominee Samuel Wells Anson Morrill Isaac Reed Party Democratic Republican Whig Popular vote 48,341 51,441 10,610 Percentage 43.76% 46.56% 9.60%

County results Wells:      40–50%      50–60% Morrill:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Anson Morrill Republican Elected Governor Samuel Wells Democratic

The 1855 Maine gubernatorial election was held on 10 September 1855 in order to elect the governor of Maine. Democratic nominee and former member of the Maine House of Representatives Samuel Wells defeated incumbent Republican governor Anson Morrill and Whig nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maine's 4th district Isaac Reed. 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 Wells as governor, despite the fact he only came in second in the popular vote.

General election

On election day, 10 September 1855, Democratic nominee Samuel Wells won the election despite losing the popular vote by a margin of 3,100 votes against his foremost opponent incumbent Republican governor Anson Morrill, thereby gaining Democratic control over the office of governor. Wells was sworn in as the 25th governor of Maine on 2 January 1856.

Results

Maine gubernatorial election, 1855

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Samuel Wells	48,341	43.76
	Republican	Anson Morrill (incumbent)	51,441	46.56
	Whig	Isaac Reed	10,610	9.60
		Scattering	81	0.08
Total votes			110,473	100.00
	Democratic gain from Republican