1904 Delaware gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1904 United States gubernatorial elections.

1904 Delaware gubernatorial election

←  1900 November 8, 1904 1908  →

Nominee Preston Lea Caleb S. Pennewill Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 22,532 19,780 Percentage 51.40% 45.13%

County results Lea:     40–50%     50–60%

Governor before election John Hunn Republican Elected Governor Preston Lea Republican

The 1904 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1904. Though incumbent Republican Governor John Hunn was eligible to run for re-election, he declined to do so. Instead, as the intra-party battle in the Republican Party between the Addicks and anti-Addicks factions continued, Hunn stepped aside to avoid additional conflict. ^[1] The Addicks, or Union Republicans, nominated Henry C. Conrad for Governor, while the anti-Addicks, or Regular Republicans, held out with their own ticket and nominated Joseph H. Chandler for Governor. ^[2] On October 12, 1904, the two factions united and agreed to jointly nominate industrialist Preston Lea, ^[3] a favorite of the Regular Republicans. ^[4]

In the general election, Lea faced Chandler, the erstwhile candidate of the Regular Republicans, who refused to step aside for Lea and continued his campaign, ^[5] and former State Senator Caleb S. Pennewill, the Democratic nominee. ^[6] Lea ended up defeating his opponents by a decisive margin, though somewhat reduced from Hunn's victory in 1900.

General election

1904 Delaware gubernatorial election ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Preston Lea	22,532	51.40%	−2.17%
	Democratic	Caleb S. Pennewill	19,780	45.13%	+0.20%
	Independent Republican	Joseph H. Chandler	802	1.83%	—
	Prohibition	John R. Price	588	0.13%	−0.03%
	Socialist	Gustave E. Reinike	131	0.30%	+0.17%
Majority			2,752	6.28%	−2.37%
Turnout			43,833	100.00%
	Republican hold

References

1. "Hunn Steps Aside: Governor Says He Does Not Wish to Imperil Party Success". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 12, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
2. "One Ticket in Sight". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. October 11, 1904. p. 4. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
3. "Will Confer Again To-Day: Republicans Are Expected to Complete Their State Ticket at Another Conference". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. October 12, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
4. "Republicans Fail to Agree on One Ticket". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. October 12, 1904. p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
5. "Can Change Ticket But Not the Votes: So Says Dr. Joseph H. Chandler, Who is Determined to Remain on the Ticket". News Journal. Wilmington, Del. October 28, 1904. p. 5. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
6. "Sketch of Mr. Pennewill: Says He Will Not Make Any Speeches But Will go Around and Meet the People". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. September 8, 1904. p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
7. 1905 Senate Journal, p. 41-42

Bibliography

• Delaware Senate Journal, 90th General Assembly, 1st Reg. Sess. (1905).