1846 Maine gubernatorial election

1846 Maine gubernatorial election

14 September 1846

Nominee John W. Dana David Bronson Samuel Fessenden Party Democratic Whig Liberty Popular vote 36,031 29,557 9,398 Percentage 47.62% 39.06% 12.42%

County results Dana:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% Bronson:      40–50%      50–60%

Governor before election Hugh J. Anderson Democratic Elected Governor John W. Dana Democratic

The 1846 Maine gubernatorial election was held on September 14, 1846, in order to elect the Governor of Maine. Former acting governor and Democratic nominee John W. Dana defeated Whig nominee and former member of the Maine Senate David Bronson and Liberty Party candidate and former member of the Massachusetts State Senate Samuel Fessenden. However, as no candidate received a majority of the total votes cast as was required by Maine law, the election was forwarded to the Maine legislature, who chose Dana as governor.

General election

On election day, September 14, 1846, former Democratic acting governor John W. Dana won the election by a margin of 6,474 votes against his foremost opponent Whig nominee David Bronson, thereby retaining Democratic control over the office of governor. Dana was sworn in as the 21st governor of Maine on 12 May 1847.

Results

Maine gubernatorial election, 1846

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John W. Dana	36,031	47.62
	Whig	David Bronson	29,557	39.06
	Liberty	Samuel Fessenden	9,398	12.42
		Scattering	678	0.90
Total votes			75,664	100.00
	Democratic hold