The 1866 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1866. Incumbent Governor Reuben Fenton was re-elected to a second term in office over Conservative Union candidate John T. Hoffman.

Conservative Union nomination Candidates John Adams Dix, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and U.S. Senator (Republican) John T. Hoffman, mayor of New York City (Democratic) Henry C. Murphy, State Senator and former mayor of Brooklyn and U.S. Minister to the Netherlands (Democratic)

Convention The Conservative Union state convention met from September 10 to 12 at Tweddle Hall in Albany. The convention was called by members of the Democratic Party with the intention of welcoming War Democrats, who had joined the National Union Party in 1864, back into the fold. They were joined by conservative Republicans who supported the Andrew Johnson administration and opposed the re-election of Governor Fenton, including Thurlow Weed.

Ahead of the convention, the nomination was expected to come down to New York City mayor John T. Hoffman and John Adams Dix, with Dix rising among the delegates on the eve of the convention, especially outside of New York City. Brooklyn and Richmond County were expected to support Henry C. Murphy.

There was a great deal of conflict over the organization of the convention; the Democratic portion of the delegates, supporting Hoffman, sought to delay the convention to prevent Dix from receiving the nomination. With a large lobbying effort backed with $30,000 in funding, they launched acrid criticisms of Dix, including his war record, for which they singled out his arrests and internment of Democratic dissenters. Motions to delay proceedings passed with the support of Hoffman and Murphy supporters in both the morning and evening sessions on September 10. The afternoon adjournment was controversial, as temporary chairman Sanford E. Church declared adjournment despite overwhelming votes against the motion.

Following the adjournment, Hoffman appeared to regain the momentum, with a number of Dix supporters in the Democratic Party defecting to Hoffman. As the second day proceeded, momentum for Hoffman appeared to trend toward his unanimous nomination, with the Republicans receiving the nomination for Lietuenant Governor as consolation.

On September 12, Hoffman was formally placed in nomination, and Republican Edwards Pierrepont withdrew Dix's name from consideration, endorsing Hoffman. Francis Kernan moved for nomination by acclamation, which carried enthusiastically. Robert H. Pruyn was nominated by a two-thirds vote for Lieutenant Governor.

General election Candidates John T. Hoffman, mayor of New York City (Conservative Union) Reuben Fenton, incumbent Governor since 1865 (Republican)

Results

New York City results Results by ward (New York County) Ward FentonRepublican HoffmanCon. Union Total Votes % Votes % Votes 1 179 7.56% 2,190 92.44% 2,369 2 134 33.42% 267 66.58% 401 3 196 24.84% 593 75.16% 789 4 443 14.32% 2,650 85.68% 3,093 5 803 27.17% 2,152 72.83% 2,955 6 297 8.36% 3,254 91.64% 3,551 7 1,142 19.70% 4,656 80.30% 5,798 8 1,381 26.05% 3,920 73.95% 5,301 9 3,207 43.37% 4,187 56.63% 7,394 10 1,284 28.91% 3,157 71.09% 4,441 11 1,601 20.71% 6,128 79.29% 7,729 12 1,657 36.02% 2,943 63.98% 4,600 13 1,025 25.13% 3,053 74.87% 4,078 14 601 15.04% 3,396 84.96% 3,997 15 1,728 43.67% 2,229 56.33% 3,957 16 2,594 41.56% 3,647 58.44% 6,241 17 2,869 26.09% 8,128 73.91% 10,997 18 2,474 34.09% 4,783 65.91% 7,257 19 2,263 34.96% 4,210 65.04% 6,473 20 2,669 30.41% 6,109 69.59% 8,778 21 2,530 38.37% 4,063 61.63% 6,593 22 2,415 32.74% 4,962 67.26% 7,377 Totals 33,492 29.34% 80,677 70.66% 114,169

See also New York gubernatorial elections 1866 New York state election 1866 United States elections

References