1902 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

1902 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1901 November 4, 1902 1903 →
 
Nominee John L. Bates William A. Gaston John C. Chase
Party Republican Democratic Socialist
Popular vote 196,276 159,156 33,629
Percentage 49.23% 39.92% 8.44%

County results
Bates:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Gaston:      50–60%

Governor before election

W. Murray Crane
Republican

Elected Governor

John L. Bates
Republican

The 1902 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1902. Incumbent Republican Governor W. Murray Crane did not run for re-election. Lt. Governor John L. Bates was elected to succeed him, defeating Democratic nominee William A. Gaston and Socialist John C. Chase.

This election was the first in which the newly formed Socialist Party of America fielded a candidate and Chase's 8.44% remains the largest vote any Socialist candidate for Governor has received as of 2024.

Party nominations

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Lieutenant Governor John L. Bates was nominated by the Republican party by acclamation.[1] William A. Gaston defeated Charles Sumner Hamlin 1004 votes to 232 votes at the Democratic convention.[2]

General election

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Governor

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Results

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1902 Massachusetts gubernatorial election[3][4][5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John L. Bates 196,276 49.23% Decrease8.03
Democratic William A. Gaston 159,156 39.92% Increase4.68
Socialist John C. Chase 33,629 8.44% N/A
Socialist Labor Michael T. Berry 6,079 1.53% Decrease1.21
Prohibition William H. Partridge 3,538 0.89% Decrease0.58
Write-in All others 11 0.00% Steady
Total votes 398,689 100.00%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Bates for Governor: Nominated by Acclamation in Boston". The Hartford Courant. October 4, 1902. p. 1.
  2. ^ "Democracy to be Led By William A. Gaston". The Boston Daily Globe. September 18, 1902.
  3. ^ "MA Governor, 1902". Our Campaigns. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  4. ^ "1902 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Massachusetts". US Election Atlas. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  5. ^ Election Statistics 1902, p. 5.

Bibliography

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Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (1910). Election Statistics, 1902. Boston, MA: Wright & Potter Printing Co., State Printers.