1868 New York gubernatorial election
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County results Hoffman: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Griswold: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The 1868 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1868. Incumbent Governor Reuben Fenton did not run for re-election to a third term. Mayor of New York City John T. Hoffman won the election over Republican John Augustus Griswold. As of 2025, this is the most recent time any mayor of New York City was elected Governor of New York or any higher office.
Republican nomination
Candidates
- Horace Greeley, publisher of the New-York Tribune and former U.S. Representative from New York City
- John Augustus Griswold, U.S. Representative from Troy
- Stewart L. Woodford, Lieutenant Governor of New York
Convention
The Republican state convention met on July 8. Early in the proceedings, the convention resolved to amend the system of delegate apportionment to award delegates to Assembly districts on the basis of the Republican vote; this had the immediate effect of reducing the power of New York City, which was predominantly Democratic, in future conventions.[1]
An informal ballot showed Griswold with a majority of the delegates, and his nomination was ratified unanimously.[1]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John A. Griswold | 247 | 65.34% | |
| Republican | Horace Greeley | 95 | 25.13% | |
| Republican | Stewart L. Woodford | 36 | 9.52% | |
| Total votes | 378 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic nomination
Candidates
- John T. Hoffman, mayor of New York City and nominee in 1866
Declined
- Henry C. Murphy, state senator and former mayor of Brooklyn, U.S. Minister to the Netherlands, and U.S. Representative[2]
Convention
The Democratic state convention met on September 2 and 3 at Tweddle Hall in Albany. John T. Hoffman was nominated by acclamation after Henry C. Murphy, leader of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, declined to be a candidate citing "contrariety of opinion... rendering my nomination at least doubtful, and calculated to engender bad feelings in the party."[2] Hoffman's nomination was a demonstration of growing strength for Tammany Hall; however, Tammany was defeated on the ballot for Lieutenant Governor, when the forces of Henry C. Murphy of Brooklyn joined with the county parties to Allen C. Beach over Tammany candidate Albert P. Lanning.[2]
A separate German convention also met on September 2 at Schreiber's Hotel in Albany, endorsing Hoffman.[2]
General election
Candidates
- John T. Hoffman, mayor of New York City and nominee in 1866 (Democratic)
- John Augustus Griswold, U.S. Representative from Troy (Republican)
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John T. Hoffman | 439,301 | 51.64% | 2.60 | |
| Republican | John Augustus Griswold | 411,355 | 48.36% | 2.60 | |
| Total votes | 850,656 | 100.00% | |||
See also
References
- ^ a b c "THE SYRACUSE CONVENTION: The Republican Party in this City to be Reorganized". The New York Times. July 9, 1866. p. 4.
- ^ a b c d "POLITICAL AFFAIRS; Proceedings of the Democratic State Convention". The New York Times. September 3, 1868. p. 1.
- ^ Official Canvas of the Vote on the State Ticket of New-York