1956 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

1956 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 6, 1956

Nominee Foster Furcolo Sumner G. Whittier Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,234,618 1,096,759 Percentage 52.76% 46.87%

Furcolo:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Whittier:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Christian A. Herter Republican Elected Governor Foster Furcolo Democratic

The 1956 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1956. Democrat Foster Furcolo was elected Governor of Massachusetts to replace incumbent Christian Herter, who did not run for re-election. Furcolo defeated Republican Sumner G. Whittier, Socialist Labor candidate Henning A. Blomen, and Prohibition candidate Mark R. Shaw.

In the race for lieutenant governor, Democrat Robert F. Murphy defeated Republican Charles Gibbons, Prohibition candidate Harold E. Bassett, and Socialist Labor candidate Francis A. Votano.

Republican primary

Candidates

• Sumner Whittier, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts

Results

Lt. Governor Whittier was unopposed in the Republican primary.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Thomas H. Buckley, former Massachusetts Auditor
• Foster Furcolo, former Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts

Results

Democratic gubernatorial primary, 1956

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Foster Furcolo	358,051	78.65%
	Democratic	Thomas Henry Buckley	131,496	21.35%

General election

Results

Massachusetts gubernatorial election, 1956

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Foster Furcolo	1,234,618	52.76%	4.96
	Republican	Sumner G. Whittier	1,096,759	46.87%	4.89
	Socialist Labor	Henning A. Blomen	5,799	0.25%	0.05
	Prohibition	Mark R. Shaw	2,692	0.12%	0.02

See also

• 1955–1956 Massachusetts legislature

References

Hayden, Irving N.; Grove, Lawrence R. (1957). A Manual for the Use of the General Court for 1957–1958. Boston: Wright & Potter Printing Company. pp. 298–99. Retrieved September 23, 2010.