1851 Connecticut gubernatorial election

The 1851 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on April 7, 1851.^[1] It was a rematch of the 1850 Connecticut gubernatorial election. Incumbent governor and Democratic Party nominee Thomas H. Seymour defeated former state legislator and Whig nominee Lafayette S. Foster with 48.94% of the vote.

Quick facts Nominee, Party ...

1851 Connecticut gubernatorial election

← 1850 April 7, 1851 1852 â†’

Nominee Thomas H. Seymour Lafayette S. Foster Party Democratic Whig Electoral vote 122 121 Popular vote 30,077 28,856 Percentage 48.94% 46.95%

County results Municipality results Seymour:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Foster:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election Thomas H. Seymour Democratic Elected Governor Thomas H. Seymour Democratic

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Seymour won a plurality of the vote, but he did not receive a majority. As a result, the Connecticut General Assembly elected the governor, per the state constitution. The Whig Party had a majority in the Connecticut State house, but they were divided over their choice. Seymour won the vote over Foster by a mere one-vote margin, 122 to 121, in the General Assembly, and became the governor.^[2]