1859 United States Senate election in Minnesota

1859 United States Senate election in Minnesota
Majority vote of the Minnesota Legislature needed to win
Senator before election; James Shields; Democratic	Elected Senator ; Morton S. Wilkinson; Republican

The 1859 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place for the state's Class II seat on December 15, 1859, by the Minnesota legislature in a joint convention. Democratic incumbent James Shields drew the short-term Class II seat lot (expiring March 3, 1859) when he was elected on December 19, 1857, prior to Minnesota statehood.

Candidates

Democrat

Willis A. Gorman, former Minnesota Territorial Governor (1853–1857)^[1]
James Shields, U.S. Senator since 1858, former Governor of Oregon Territory (1848–1849), former U.S. Senator from Illinois (1849–1855)^[1]

Republican

Morton S. Wilkinson, Attorney from Stillwater, former Minnesota territorial Representative from the 2nd House District (1849–1850), former Ramsey County Register of Deeds (1851–1853)^[1]

Results


1859 Minnesota U.S. Senate Election^[1]
Republican	Morton S. Wilkinson	79	69.91
Democrat	James Shields (inc.)	33	29.20
Democrat	Willis A. Gorman	1	0.88
Total Votes		133	100.0

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d University of Minnesota Libraries, University of Minnesota. "1859 Minnesota U.S. Senate Election". Minnesota Historical Election Archive. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.

[:0-1] University of Minnesota Libraries, University of Minnesota. "1859 Minnesota U.S. Senate Election". Minnesota Historical Election Archive. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.

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