1853 Vermont gubernatorial election
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The 1853 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on September 6.[1] The same three candidates who ran for governor of Vermont in 1852 ran again in 1853: Whig and incumbent Erastus Fairbanks, Democratic candidate John S. Robinson, and Lawrence Brainerd, the nominee of the Free Soil Party.[2] The results showed that Fairbanks had received 43.9 percent of the vote, with Robinson receiving 38.5 percent, and Brainerd 17.6 percent.[2]
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September 6, 1853
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 County results Robinson: 40–50% 50–60% Fairbanks: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Brainerd: 40–50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Because no candidate received a majority, the Vermont Constitution required the contest to be settled by the Vermont General Assembly.[2] In the October 27 voting, 119 to 121 votes were necessary for a choice, depending on how many members of the Vermont Senate and Vermont House of Representatives took part in each ballot.[2] On the 20th ballot, with 120 votes required for a choice, enough Brainerd supporters voted for Robinson to give Robinson the win with 120 votes.[2] Fairbanks received 104, and Brainerd received 7.[2] Robinson took the oath of office and began a one-year term on October 28.[3]
Robinson was the only Democrat elected governor of Vermont until the election of Philip H. Hoff in 1962.[4]
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Robinson | 18,142 | 38.5% | ||
| Whig | Erastus Fairbanks (incumbent) | 20,849 | 43.9% | ||
| Free Soil | Lawrence Brainerd | 8,291 | 17.6% | ||
| Write-in | Other | 9 | 0.0 | ||
| Total votes | '47,291' | '100' | |||