1842 Connecticut gubernatorial election
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The 1842 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on April 4, 1842.[1][2] Former Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives and Democratic nominee Chauncey Fitch Cleveland was elected, defeating incumbent governor and Whig nominee William W. Ellsworth with 49.94% of the vote.
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April 4, 1842
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Cleveland: 40â50% 50â60% 60â70% 70â80% Ellsworth: 40â50% 50â60% 60â70% 70â80% Tie | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Cleveland won a plurality of the vote, but fell just short of a majority, by 107 votes. The state constitution at the time required the Connecticut General Assembly decide the election if no candidate won a majority of the vote. The state legislature voted 139 to 68 to elect Cleveland the governor.[3]
This was the first appearance of the Liberty Party in a Connecticut governor's race, and the first of Francis Gillette's ten attempts at seeking the governorship.
General election
Candidates
Major party candidates
- Chauncey Fitch Cleveland, Democratic
- William W. Ellsworth, Whig
Minor party candidates
- Francis Gillette, Liberty
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Chauncey Fitch Cleveland | 25,564 | 49.79% | ||
| Whig | William W. Ellsworth (incumbent) | 23,790 | 46.34% | ||
| Liberty | Francis Gillette | 1,319 | 2.57% | ||
| Conservative | Luther Loomis | 612 | 1.20% | ||
| Plurality | 1,774 | ||||
| Turnout | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Chauncey Fitch Cleveland | 139 | 67.15% | ||
| Whig | William W. Ellsworth (incumbent) | 68 | 32.85% | ||
| Majority | 71 | ||||
| Democratic gain from Whig | Swing | ||||
