Elections in New England

Last updated

Barack Obama campaigning in Portsmouth, New Hampshire during his 2012 reelection bid. He carried every New England state in 2008 and 2012. Barack Obama Portsmouth New Hampshire 2012.jpg
Barack Obama campaigning in Portsmouth, New Hampshire during his 2012 reelection bid. He carried every New England state in 2008 and 2012.

Elections in New England have been defined by the region's political and cultural history, demographics, economy, and its loyalty to particular U.S. political parties. Within the elections in the United States, New England is sometimes viewed in terms of a single voting bloc.

Contents

Presidential

Parties
Nonpartisan Federalist Democratic-Republican National Republican Democratic Anti-Masonic Whig Republican
Presidential electoral votes in the New England states since 1789
YearConnecticutMaineMassachusettsNew HampshireRhode IslandVermont
1789 Washington Prior to 1820,

modern-Maine

was a part of

Massachusetts

Washington Washington No electionNo election
1792 Washington Washington Washington Washington Washington
1796 Adams Adams Adams Adams Adams
1800 Adams Adams Adams Adams Adams
1804 Pinckney Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson
1808 Pinckney Pinckney Pinckney Pinckney Madison
1812 Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton Madison
1816 King King Monroe Monroe Monroe
1820 Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe
1824 Adams Adams Adams Adams Adams Adams
1828 Adams Adams Adams Adams Adams Adams
1832 Clay Jackson Clay Jackson Clay Wirt
1836 Van Buren Van Buren Webster Van Buren Van Buren Harrison
1840 Harrison Harrison Harrison Van Buren Harrison Harrison
1844 Clay Polk Clay Polk Clay Clay
1848 Taylor Cass Taylor Cass Taylor Taylor
1852 Pierce Pierce Scott Pierce Pierce Scott
1856 Frémont Frémont Frémont Frémont Frémont Frémont
1860 Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln
1864 Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln Lincoln
1868 Grant Grant Grant Grant Grant Grant
1872 Grant Grant Grant Grant Grant Grant
1876 Tilden Hayes Hayes Hayes Hayes Hayes
1880 Garfield Garfield Garfield Garfield Garfield Garfield
1884 Cleveland Blaine Blaine Blaine Blaine Blaine
1888 Cleveland Harrison Harrison Harrison Harrison Harrison
1892 Cleveland Harrison Harrison Harrison Harrison Harrison
1896 McKinley McKinley McKinley McKinley McKinley McKinley
1900 McKinley McKinley McKinley McKinley McKinley McKinley
1904 Roosevelt Roosevelt Roosevelt Roosevelt Roosevelt Roosevelt
1908 Taft Taft Taft Taft Taft Taft
1912 Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Wilson Taft
1916 Hughes Hughes Hughes Wilson Hughes Hughes
1920 Harding Harding Harding Harding Harding Harding
1924 Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge Coolidge
1928 Hoover Hoover Smith Hoover Smith Hoover
1932 Hoover Hoover Roosevelt Hoover Roosevelt Hoover
1936 Roosevelt Landon Roosevelt Roosevelt Roosevelt Landon
1940 Roosevelt Willkie Roosevelt Roosevelt Roosevelt Willkie
1944 Roosevelt Dewey Roosevelt Roosevelt Roosevelt Dewey
1948 Dewey Dewey Truman Dewey Truman Dewey
1952 Eisenhower Eisenhower Eisenhower Eisenhower Eisenhower Eisenhower
1956 Eisenhower Eisenhower Eisenhower Eisenhower Eisenhower Eisenhower
1960 Kennedy Nixon Kennedy Nixon Kennedy Nixon
1964 Johnson Johnson Johnson Johnson Johnson Johnson
1968 Humphrey Humphrey Humphrey Nixon Humphrey Nixon
1972 Nixon Nixon McGovern Nixon Nixon Nixon
1976 Ford Ford Carter Ford Carter Ford
1980 Reagan Reagan Reagan Reagan Carter Reagan
1984 Reagan Reagan Reagan Reagan Reagan Reagan
1988 Bush Bush Dukakis Bush Dukakis Bush
1992 Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton
1996 Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton
2000 Gore Gore Gore Bush Gore Gore
2004 Kerry Kerry Kerry Kerry Kerry Kerry
2008 Obama Obama Obama Obama Obama Obama
2012 Obama Obama Obama Obama Obama Obama
2016 Clinton Clinton [†] Clinton Clinton Clinton Clinton
2020 Biden Biden [†] Biden Biden Biden Biden
YearConnecticutMaineMassachusettsNew HampshireRhode IslandVermont

In the 2000 presidential election, Democratic candidate Al Gore carried all of the New England states except for New Hampshire, and in 2004, John Kerry, a New Englander himself, won all six New England states. [1] In both the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, every congressional district with the exception of New Hampshire's 1st district were won by Gore and Kerry respectively. During the 2008 Democratic primaries, Hillary Clinton won the three New England states containing Greater Boston (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire), while Barack Obama won the three that did not (Connecticut, Maine, and Vermont). In the 2008 presidential election, Obama carried all six states by 9 percentage points or more. [2] He carried every county in New England except for Piscataquis County, Maine, which he lost by 4% to Senator John McCain (R-AZ). As of the 2010 census, New England collectively has 33 electoral votes.

The six states of New England voted for the Democratic Presidential nominee in the 1992, 1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012 elections, and every state but New Hampshire voted for Al Gore in the presidential election of 2000. In the 113th Congress the House delegations from all six states of New England are all Democratic. New England is home to the only two independent politicians currently serving in the U.S. Senate: Angus King, who represents Maine and Bernie Sanders, who represents Vermont.

New Hampshire primary

Alumni Hall at Saint Anselm College has served as a backdrop for the media reports during the New Hampshire primary. Alumni Hall 1889 Sun.jpg
Alumni Hall at Saint Anselm College has served as a backdrop for the media reports during the New Hampshire primary.

Historically, the New Hampshire primary has been the first in a series of nationwide political party primary elections held in the United States every four years. Held in the state of New Hampshire, it usually marks the beginning of the U.S. presidential election process. Even though few delegates are chosen from New Hampshire, the primary has always been pivotal to both New England and American politics. One college in particular, Saint Anselm College, has been home to numerous national presidential debates and visits by candidates to its campus. [3]

Local factories and diners are valuable photo opportunities for candidates, who hope to use this quintessential New England image to their advantage by portraying themselves as sympathetic to blue collar workers. Media coverage of the primary enables candidates low on funds to "rally back"; an example of this was President Bill Clinton who referred to himself as "The Comeback Kid" following the 1992 primary. National media outlets have converged on small New Hampshire towns, such as during the 2007 and 2008 national presidential debates held at Saint Anselm College in the town of Goffstown. [4] [5] Goffstown and other towns in New Hampshire have been experiencing this influx of national media since the 1950s.

Political party strength

Judging purely by party registration rather than voting patterns, New England today is one of the most Democratic regions in the U.S., [6] [7] [8] with four of the six states considered among the most solidly Democratic in the country. New Hampshire and Maine are generally swing states in federal elections. [9] Republicans in New England are considered by both liberals and conservatives to be more moderate (even socially liberal) compared to Republicans in other parts of the U.S. [10]

StateGovernorSenior U.S. SenatorJunior U.S. SenatorU.S. House DelegationUpper House MajorityLower House Majority
CT N. Lamont R. Blumenthal C. Murphy Democratic 5–0Democratic 23–13Democratic 97–54
ME J. Mills S. Collins A. King [‡] Democratic 2–0Democratic 22-13Democratic 80–65-4-1-1
MA M. Healey E. Warren E. Markey Democratic 9–0Democratic 37-3Democratic 129–31
NH C. Sununu J. Shaheen M. Hassan Democratic 2–0Republican 14–10Republican 208–187
RI D. McKee J. Reed S. Whitehouse Democratic 2–0Democratic 33–5Democratic 65-10
VT P. Scott P. Leahy B. Sanders [‡] Democratic 1–0Democratic 21–7–2Democratic 92–46–7–5

See also

Notes

Clinton and Biden won the overall state, but Donald Trump won Maine's 2nd congressional district in the 2016 and 2020 elections.
Elected as an independent, but caucuses with the Democratic Party.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 United States presidential election</span> 54th quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 2000 United States presidential election was the 54th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 7, 2000. Republican candidate George W. Bush, the incumbent governor of Texas and eldest son of the 41st president, George H. W. Bush, won the election, defeating incumbent Vice President Al Gore. It was the fourth of five American presidential elections, and the first since 1888, in which the winning candidate lost the popular vote, and is considered one of the closest U.S. presidential elections, with long-standing controversy about the result. Gore conceded the election on December 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 United States presidential election</span> 53rd quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1996 United States presidential election was the 53rd quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic President Bill Clinton defeated former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, the Republican nominee, and Ross Perot, the Reform Party nominee and 1992 Independent presidential candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 United States presidential election</span> 52nd quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 1992 United States presidential election was the 52nd quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 1992. Democratic Governor Bill Clinton of Arkansas defeated incumbent Republican President George H. W. Bush and independent businessman Ross Perot of Texas. The election marked the end of a period of Republican dominance in American presidential politics that began in 1968, and also marked the end of 12 years of Republican rule of the White House, as well as the end of the Greatest Generation's 32-year American rule and the beginning of the baby boomers' 28-year dominance until 2020. It was the last time the incumbent president failed to win a second term until 2020, when Donald Trump lost the election to Joe Biden; it was the first such occurrence since 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Democratic Party presidential primaries</span> Selection of the Democratic Party nominee

From January 14 to June 8, 2004, voters of the Democratic Party chose its nominee for president in the 2004 United States presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election</span> 56th quadrennial U.S. presidential election

The 2008 United States presidential election was the 56th quadrennial presidential election, held on November 4, 2008. The Democratic ticket of Barack Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, and Joe Biden, the senior senator from Delaware, defeated the Republican ticket of John McCain, the senior senator from Arizona, and Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska. Obama became the first African American to be elected to the presidency, as well as being only the third sitting United States senator elected president, joining Warren G. Harding and John F. Kennedy. Meanwhile, this was only the second successful all-senator ticket since the 1960 election and is the only election where both major party nominees were sitting senators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Tuesday</span> Day of year for US presidential primary elections

Super Tuesday is the United States presidential primary election day in February or March when the greatest number of U.S. states hold primary elections and caucuses. Approximately one-third of all delegates to the presidential nominating conventions can be won on Super Tuesday, more than on any other day. The results on Super Tuesday are therefore a strong indicator of the likely eventual nominee of each political party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries</span> Selection of the Democratic Party nominee

From January 3 to June 3, 2008, voters of the Democratic Party chose their nominee for president in the 2008 United States presidential election. Senator Barack Obama of Illinois was selected as the nominee, becoming the first African American to secure the presidential nomination of any major political party in the United States. However, due to a close race between Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton of New York, the contest remained competitive for longer than expected; neither candidate received enough pledged delegates from state primaries and caucuses to achieve a majority, without endorsements from unpledged delegates (superdelegates).

The following is a timeline of major events leading up to and immediately following the United States presidential election of 2008. The election was the 56th quadrennial United States presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008, but its significant events and background date back to about 2002. The Democratic Party nominee, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, defeated the Republican Party's nominee, Senator John McCain of Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Republican Party presidential primaries</span> Selection of Republican US presidential candidate

From January 3 to June 3, 2008, voters of the Republican Party chose their nominee for president in the 2008 United States presidential election. Senator John McCain of Arizona was selected as the nominee through a series of primary elections and caucuses culminating in the 2008 Republican National Convention held from Monday, September 1, through Thursday, September 4, 2008, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. President George W. Bush was ineligible to be elected to a third term due to the term limits established by the 22nd Amendment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Iowa</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Iowa took place on November 4, 2008, as part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose seven representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

The following is a timeline of major events leading up to the United States presidential election of 2012. The election was the 57th quadrennial United States presidential election and was held on November 6, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Vermont</span> Election in Vermont

The 2008 United States presidential election in Vermont took place on November 4, 2008, concurrent with the federal election in all 50 states and D.C., which was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose three representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in Delaware</span>

The 2008 United States presidential election in Delaware took place on November 4, 2008, and was part of the 2008 United States presidential election. Voters chose three representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 United States presidential election in New Hampshire</span> Election in New Hampshire

The 2000 United States presidential election in New Hampshire took place on Election Day on November 7, 2000 as part of the 2000 United States presidential election. The 2 major candidates were Texas Governor George W. Bush of the Republican Party and sitting Vice President Al Gore of the Democratic Party. When all votes were tallied, Bush was declared the winner with a plurality of the vote over Gore, receiving 48% of the vote to Gore's 47%, while Green Party candidate Ralph Nader received almost 4% of the vote in the state. Bush went on to win the election nationwide. Had incumbent Vice President Gore come out victorious in New Hampshire with its four electoral votes, he would have won the presidency, regardless of the outcome of Bush v. Gore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Hampshire Institute of Politics</span>

The New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) is an academic institute at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Founded in 2001, the institute has hosted hundreds of potential candidates for the U.S. presidency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 United States presidential election in New Hampshire</span> Election in New Hampshire

The 2008 United States presidential election in New Hampshire took place on November 4, 2008, as part of the 2008 United States presidential election throughout all 50 states and D.C. Voters chose four representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

The following is a timeline of major events leading up to, during, and after the 2016 United States presidential election. The election was the 58th quadrennial United States presidential election, held on November 8, 2016. The presidential primaries and caucuses were held between February 1 and June 14, 2016, staggered among the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. The U.S. Congress certified the electoral result on January 6, 2017, and the new President and Vice President were inaugurated on January 20, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968 United States presidential election in New Hampshire</span> Election in New Hampshire

The 1968 United States presidential election in New Hampshire took place on November 5, 1968, as part of the 1968 United States presidential election, which was held throughout all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Voters chose four representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary</span>

The 2016 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary was held on Tuesday February 9. As per tradition, it was the first primary and second nominating contest overall to take place in the cycle. Bernie Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton in the primary by a margin of more than 22% in the popular vote. Sanders claimed 15 delegates to Clinton's 9.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States presidential election in Mississippi</span> Election in Mississippi

The 2016 United States presidential election in Mississippi was held on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, as part of the 2016 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Mississippi voters chose electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote, pitting the Republican Party's nominee, businessman Donald Trump, and running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence against Democratic Party nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and her running mate Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. Mississippi has six electoral votes in the Electoral College.

References

  1. "2006 Political Party Breakdown by State". The Green Papers. Retrieved July 19, 2006.
  2. "Election Center 2008". CNN. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
  3. "Mike Huckabee: Mike Huckabee's Weekly Schedule for Sept. 24". All American Patriots website. September 25, 2007. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  4. "Candidates Face Off At St. Anselm's College". CBS News. January 7, 2008.
  5. "Election Center 2008 - Election & Politics News from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  6. Salzman, Avi (December 18, 2005). "A Laboratory For Liberals?". New York Times. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  7. "New England grapples with first execution". Concord Monitor. May 13, 2005. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  8. Grynbaum, Michael M. (June 8, 2006). "Gregg cites states' rights in voting against amendment". Boston Globe. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  9. "Number of Solidly Democratic States Cut in Half From '08 to '10". Gallup. February 21, 2011. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  10. Purple, Matt (April 10, 2010). "No More 'New England Republicans'". The American Spectator. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2013.