1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

The 1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held during January 1859. Incumbent Senator Henry Wilson, who had been elected in 1855 to fill the unexpired term of Edward Everett, was re-elected easily to a full term as a member of the Republican Party.

1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
January 11 and 12, 1859
40 members of the Massachusetts Senate
396 members of the Massachusetts House
Majority vote of each house needed to win
 
Nominee Henry Wilson
Party Republican
Senate 35
Percentage 87.5%
House 199
Percentage 84.69%
Senator before election

Henry Wilson
Republican

 Elected Senator

Henry Wilson
Republican

At the time, Massachusetts elected United States Senators by a majority vote of each separate house of the Massachusetts General Court, the House and the Senate.

Background

At the time, the Massachusetts legislature was dominated by a coalition of Republican Party and American Party supporters, united in opposition to slavery.

Election in the Senate

On January 11, the State Senate convened and re-elected Wilson overwhelmingly, with 35 votes.

1859 U.S. Senate election in the Senate[1][2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry Wilson 35 87.50%
Republican George S. Boutwell 3 7.50%
Constitutional Union Edward Everett 1 2.50%
Democratic Caleb Cushing 1 2.50%
Total votes 40 100.00%

Election in the House

On January 12, the House ratified the Senate result, electing Wilson to a full term in the U.S. Senate.

1859 U.S. Senate election in the House[1][3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry Wilson 199 84.69%
Democratic Caleb Cushing 25 10.64%
Others Scattering 11 4.68%
Total votes 235 100.00%
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References
  1. "United States Senators Elected". The Maine Farmer. 20 Jan 1859. p. 2.
  2. "Re-Election of Senator Wilson". The New York Times. 12 Jan 1859. p. 1.
  3. "Re-election of the Hon. Henry Wilson". The New York Times. 13 Jan 1859.
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