1902 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

1902 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

←  1901 November 4, 1902 1903  →

Nominee John L. Bates William A. Gaston John C. Chase Party Republican Democratic Socialist Popular vote 196,276 159,156 33,629 Percentage 49.23% 39.92% 8.44%

County results Municipality results Bates:     40-50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90% Gaston:     40-50%     50–60%     60–70% Tie:     40-50%

Governor before election W. Murray Crane Republican Elected Governor John L. Bates Republican

The 1902 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1902. Incumbent Republican Governor W. Murray Crane did not run for re-election. Lt. Governor John L. Bates was elected to succeed him, defeating Democratic nominee William A. Gaston and Socialist John C. Chase.

This election was the first in which the newly formed Socialist Party of America fielded a candidate and Chase's 8.44% remains the largest vote any Socialist candidate for Governor has received as of 2026.

Party nominations

Lieutenant Governor John L. Bates was nominated by the Republican party by acclamation. ^[1] William A. Gaston defeated Charles Sumner Hamlin 1004 votes to 232 votes at the Democratic convention. ^[2]

General election

Governor

• John L. Bates, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (Republican)
• Michael T. Berry (Socialist Labor)
• John C. Chase, former mayor of Haverhill (Socialist)
• William A. Gaston, banker and son of former governor William Gaston (Democratic)
• William H. Partridge (Prohibition)

Results

1902 Massachusetts gubernatorial election ^{[3] [4] [5]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	John L. Bates	196,276	49.23%	8.03
	Democratic	William A. Gaston	159,156	39.92%	4.68
	Socialist	John C. Chase	33,629	8.44%	N/A
	Socialist Labor	Michael T. Berry	6,079	1.53%	1.21
	Prohibition	William H. Partridge	3,538	0.89%	0.58
	Write-in	All others	11	0.00%
Total votes			398,689	100.00%

See also

• 1902 Massachusetts legislature

References

1. "Bates for Governor: Nominated by Acclamation in Boston". The Hartford Courant. October 4, 1902. p. 1.
2. "Democracy to be Led By William A. Gaston". The Boston Daily Globe. September 18, 1902.
3. "MA Governor, 1902". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
4. "1902 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Massachusetts". US Election Atlas. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
5. Election Statistics 1902, p. 5.

Bibliography

Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (1910). Election Statistics, 1902. Boston, MA: Wright & Potter Printing Co., State Printers.