1838 New York gubernatorial election
November 5–7, 1838
 
Nominee William H. Seward William L. Marcy
Party Whig Democratic
Popular vote 192,882 182,461
Percentage 51.39% 48.61%
County Results
Governor before election

William L. Marcy
Democratic

 Elected Governor

William H. Seward
Whig

The 1838 New York gubernatorial election was held from November 5 to 7, 1838, to elect the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of New York.

The issues of slavery and abolition were among the topics of the campaigns. Abolitionists asked the candidates for both positions their stands on the following issues:[1] 1) "the right of blacks to a jury trial when seized as fugitive slaves; 2) a law freeing slaves-in-transit the moment they were brought into the state by their masters; and 3) equal suffrage for blacks."

Incumbent Democrat William Marcy and his running mate were described as doughfaces, not supporting the abolitionist proposals. During the campaign, Seward said that he did not support the latter two proposals, noting that a change to suffrage required a constitutional amendment to be changed. Abolitionists endorsed Luther Bradish, the Whig candidate for lieutenant governor, who supported all three, and some activists recommended voting against Seward.

But he and Bradish defeated the Democratic candidates. After election, Seward demonstrated considerable support for African Americans, signing legislation during his two terms to guarantee jury trials to alleged fugitive slaves, to repeal the nine-month allowance for slaveholders bringing slaves into the state, to give state support to efforts to gain freedom for free blacks kidnapped and sold into slavery, and establish public education for all children.

Candidates

The Whig Party nominated former state senator and 1834 gubernatorial nominee William H. Seward. They nominated state assemblyman Luther Bradish for Lieutenant Governor.

The Democratic Party nominated incumbent Governor William L. Marcy. They nominated the incumbent John Tracy for Lieutenant Governor.

Results

The Whig ticket of Seward and Bradish was elected.

New York gubernatorial election, 1838
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig William H. Seward 192,882 51.39% +6.77%
Democratic William L. Marcy (incumbent) 182,461 48.61% -5.63%
Total votes 375,343 100%

References

  1. ↑ Finkelman, Paul (September 1988). "The Protection of Black Rights in Seward's New York". Civil War History. Kent State University Press. 34 (3): 211–234. doi:10.1353/cwh.1988.0057.

Sources


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