1869 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

Summary

The 1869 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held on January 19, 1869. Incumbent Charles Sumner was re-elected to a fourth term in office.

1869 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
← 1863 January 19, 1869 1874 (special) →

40 Members of the Massachusetts Senate
231 Members of the Massachusetts House
Majority vote of each house needed to win
 
Nominee Charles Sumner Josiah Abbott
Party Republican Democratic
Senate 37 2
Percentage 92.5% 5%
House 216 14
Percentage 93.51% 6.06%

Senator before election

Charles Sumner
Republican

Elected Senator

Charles Sumner
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 edit

In the 1868 state legislative elections, Republicans maintained an overwhelming majority in both houses. Only 20 Democratic Representatives and two Democratic Senators were elected. This ensured Sumner's re-election in the January session, though there was some speculation that Sumner would vacate his seat to accept a Cabinet appointment in the newly elected Grant administration.[1]

Election edit

Election in the House edit

1869 Senate election in the House[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles Sumner (incumbent) 216 93.51%
Democratic Josiah G. Abbott 14 6.06%
Republican Nathaniel P. Banks 1 0.43%
Total votes 231 100.00%

Election in the Senate edit

1869 Senate election in the Senate[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles Sumner (incumbent) 37 92.5%
Democratic Josiah G. Abbott 2 5%
None No vote 1 2.5%
Total votes 40 100.00%

References edit

  1. ^ "THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS AND "THE NATION" OF NEW-YORK". New York Tribune. November 13, 1868. p. 2.
  2. ^ a b "U. S. SENATORS ELECTED. MASSACHUSETTS--CHARLES SUMNER". New York Tribune. January 20, 1869.