1806 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
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The 1806 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on April 2, 1806, in order to elect the governor of Rhode Island. Federalist nominee Richard Jackson Jr. won a plurality of the vote against incumbent Democratic-Republican governor Henry Smith and Democratic-Republican candidate and incumbent chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Peleg Arnold. However, as no candidate received a majority of the total votes cast as was required by Rhode Island law, the election was forwarded to the Rhode Island legislature. When the legislature was also unable to elect a governor, it was decided that Democratic-Republican lieutenant governor-elect Isaac Wilbour would serve out the term as acting governor.[1][2]
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April 2, 1806
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 County results Jackson: 40â50% Smith: 30â40% 50â60% | |||||||||||||||||||||
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General election
On election day, April 2, 1806, Federalist nominee Richard Jackson Jr. led the field by a margin of 565 votes against his foremost opponent incumbent Democratic-Republican governor Henry Smith. As he however did not receive a majority of all votes cast, the race was ultimately awarded to Democratic-Republican lieutenant governor-elect Isaac Wilbour, who would serve out the term as acting governor, thereby retaining Democratic-Republican control over the office of governor. Wilbour was sworn in as the acting 6th governor of Rhode Island on May 7, 1806.[3]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federalist | Richard Jackson Jr. | 1,662 | 43.07 | |
| Democratic-Republican | Henry Smith (incumbent) | 1,097 | 28.43 | |
| Democratic-Republican | Peleg Arnold | 1,094 | 28.35 | |
| Scattering | 6 | 0.15 | ||
| Total votes | 3,859 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic-Republican hold | ||||