1870 Delaware gubernatorial election

1870 Delaware gubernatorial election

←  1866 November 8, 1870 1874  →

Nominee James Ponder Thomas B. Coursey Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 12,459 9,942 Percentage 55.62% 44.38%

Ponder:     50–60%     60–70%

Governor before election Gove Saulsbury Democratic Elected Governor James Ponder Democratic

The 1870 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1870. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gove Saulsbury was unable to seek re-election. Former State Senator James Ponder ran as the Democratic candidate to succeed Saulsbury and faced Republican nominee Thomas B. Coursey. As Black Delawareans gained the right to vote, Republicans were confident about their chances, and the Democratic Party responded by presenting itself as the "white man's party." Ponder ultimately defeated Coursey by a wide margin, in part because of low Black turnout and a racist backlash against Black suffrage. ^[1]

General election

Results

1870 Delaware gubernatorial election ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	James Ponder	12,459	55.62%	+2.33%
	Republican	Thomas B. Coursey	9,942	44.38%	−2.33%
Majority			2,517	11.24%	+4.65%
Turnout			22,401	100.00%
	Democratic hold

References

1. Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware: From the Earliest Settlements to the Year 1907. Vol. 1. Lancaster, Pa.: Wickersham Company, Printers and Binders. p. 224.
2. 1871 House Journal, pp. 52–53

Bibliography

• Gubernatorial Elections, 1787-1997. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. 1998. ISBN   1-56802-396-0.
• Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN   0-930466-17-9.
• Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN   978-0-7864-1439-0.
• Delaware House Journal, 73rd General Assembly, 1st Reg. Sess. (1871).