1868 New York gubernatorial election

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1868 New York gubernatorial election
Flag of New York.svg
  1866 November 3, 1868 1870  
  John T Hoffman (3x4 cropped).png John Augustus Griswold (cropped).jpg
Nominee John T. Hoffman John Augustus Griswold
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote439,301411,355
Percentage51.64%48.36%

1868 New York gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Hoffman:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%
Griswold:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%

Governor before election

Reuben E. Fenton
Republican

Elected Governor

John T. Hoffman
Democratic

The 1868 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1868. Incumbent Governor Reuben Fenton did not run for re-election to a third term. Mayor of New York City John T. Hoffman won the election over Republican John Augustus Griswold. As of 2025, this is the most recent time any mayor of New York City was elected Governor of New York or any higher office.

Contents

Republican nomination

Candidates

Convention

The Republican state convention met on July 8. Early in the proceedings, the convention resolved to amend the system of delegate apportionment to award delegates to Assembly districts on the basis of the Republican vote; this had the immediate effect of reducing the power of New York City, which was predominantly Democratic, in future conventions. [1]

An informal ballot showed Griswold with a majority of the delegates, and his nomination was ratified unanimously. [1]

1868 New York Republican convention [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican John A. Griswold 247 65.34%
Republican Horace Greeley9525.13%
Republican Stewart L. Woodford 369.52%
Total votes378 100.00%

Democratic nomination

Candidates

Declined

Convention

The Democratic state convention met on September 2 and 3 at Tweddle Hall in Albany. John T. Hoffman was nominated by acclamation after Henry C. Murphy, leader of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, declined to be a candidate citing "contrariety of opinion... rendering my nomination at least doubtful, and calculated to engender bad feelings in the party." [2] Hoffman's nomination was a demonstration of growing strength for Tammany Hall; however, Tammany was defeated on the ballot for Lieutenant Governor, when the forces of Henry C. Murphy of Brooklyn joined with the county parties to Allen C. Beach over Tammany candidate Albert P. Lanning. [2]

A separate German convention also met on September 2 at Schreiber's Hotel in Albany, endorsing Hoffman. [2]

General election

Candidates

Results

1868 New York gubernatorial election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic John T. Hoffman 439,301 51.64% Increase2.svg 2.60
Republican John Augustus Griswold 411,35548.36%Decrease2.svg 2.60
Total votes850,656 100.00%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "THE SYRACUSE CONVENTION: The Republican Party in this City to be Reorganized". The New York Times . July 9, 1866. p. 4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "POLITICAL AFFAIRS; Proceedings of the Democratic State Convention". The New York Times . September 3, 1868. p. 1.
  3. Official Canvas of the Vote on the State Ticket of New-York