1780 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

A gubernatorial election was held in Massachusetts on September 4, 1780.^[1] John Hancock, the former delegate to the Continental Congress from Massachusetts, defeated James Bowdoin, the former president of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention.^[2] The election took place against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War, in which Hancock briefly participated as a major general of the Massachusetts militia. Hancock became the first governor elected under the Constitution of Massachusetts, ratified only the previous June; prior to the election, the Massachusetts Governor's Council administered the government following the removal of the last royal governor.^[3]

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

1780 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1692 September 4, 1780 1781 â†’

Nominee John Hancock James Bowdoin Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan Popular vote 11,207 1,033 Percentage 91.56% 8.44%

County results Hancock:      70–80%      80–90%      >90% No Data/Vote:

Governor before election None (The Governor's Council administered the government.) Elected Governor John Hancock Nonpartisan

Close