1870 Delaware gubernatorial election

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1870 Delaware gubernatorial election
Flag of Delaware.svg
  1866 November 8, 1870 1874  
  JamesPonder.gif 3x4.svg
Nominee James Ponder Thomas B. Coursey
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote12,4599,942
Percentage55.62%44.38%

1870 Delaware gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
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]

Contents

General election

Results

1870 Delaware gubernatorial election [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic James Ponder 12,459 55.62% +2.33%
Republican Thomas B. Coursey9,94244.38%-2.33%
Majority2,51711.24%+4.65%
Turnout 22,401100.00%
Democratic hold

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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