1886 Delaware gubernatorial election

* * *

| <- 1882 | November 2, 1886 | 1890 ->

|
|

|  |  |

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Nominee  | Benjamin T. Biggs | John H. Hoffecker |
Party  | Democratic | Prohibition
Popular vote  | 13,942 | 7,832
Percentage  | 63.50% | 35.67%

* * *

County results
Biggs: 60–70%

* * *

| Governor before election

Charles C. Stockley
Democratic

| Elected Governor

Benjamin T. Biggs
Democratic

|

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Wilmington

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* v
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* e

The 1886 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1886. Incumbent Democratic Governor Charles C. Stockley was barred from seeing a second consecutive term in office. Former Congressman Benjamin T. Biggs won the Democratic nomination to succeed Stockley. The Republican Party, which was weak and practically nonexistent in the state at the time,[1] did not run a candidate for Governor.[2] As a result, the Temperance Reform Party briefly supplanted the Republican Party as the primary opposition to the Democratic Party. Former State Representative and Smyrna Town Treasurer John H. Hoffecker, a former Democrat, emerged as the Temperance Reform nominee. However, the Democratic Party remained strong in the state; with no Republican opponent and only weak opposition, Biggs won in a landslide.

## Temperance Reform convention

[edit]

At the Temperance Reform convention in Dover in June 1886, John H. Hoffecker received the party's nomination by acclamation.[3]

## Democratic convention

[edit]

At the Democratic convention in Dover in August 1886, former Congressman Benjamin T. Biggs entered as the frontrunner.[4] He faced a number of prospective candidates, including:[5]

* Edwin R. Cochran, New Castle County Clerk of the Peace, former State Representative[6]
* William Herbert, New Castle County Treasurer[7]
* Swithin Chandler
* J. Wilkins Cooch, former State Senator[8]

Despite the fierce competition, however, Biggs was easily nominated, winning the convention vote on the first ballot.[9]

## General election

[edit]

1886 Delaware gubernatorial election[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Democratic | Benjamin T. Biggs | 13,942  | 63.50%  | +10.47%
| Prohibition | John H. Hoffecker | 7,832  | 35.67%  | —
| Independent Republican | Joseph Pyle  | 151  | 0.69%  | —
| Write-ins  |  | 30  | 0.14%  | —
Majority  | 6,110  | 27.83%  | +21.62%
Turnout | 21,955  | 100.00%  |
| Democratic hold

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Boyer, William W.; Ratledge, Edward C. (2009). Delaware Politics and Government. Lincoln, Neb.: University of Nebraska Press. p. 54\. ISBN 978-0-8032-1345-6.
2. ^ Peltier, David Paul (1967). Border State Democracy: A History of Voting in Delaware, 1682-1897 (Ph.D.). University of Delaware. p. 275\. ProQuest 302215361. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
3. ^ "The Temperance Convention". Delaware Gazette and Journal. Wilmington, Del. June 24, 1886. p. 2. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
4. ^ "The Roosters Down: An Awful Blow for the Court House Ring". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 16, 1886. p. 1. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
5. ^ "Fight of the Factions: Biggs Still Has a Positive Majority of All The Delegates". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 17, 1886. p. 1. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
6. ^ "Cochran in the Field". Daily Republican. Wilmington, Del. July 19, 1886. p. 2. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
7. ^ "Mr. Herbert Gives a Supper: County Officers Have a Feast at New Castle". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. March 11, 1886. p. 3. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
8. ^ "Delaware Politics". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 18, 1886. p. 3. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
9. ^ "Biggs is the Man: Chosen on the First Ballot by 101 Votes". Morning News. Wilmington, Del. August 18, 1886. p. 1. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
10. ^ 1887 Senate Journal, p. 41

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Delaware Senate Journal, 81st General Assembly, 1st Reg. Sess. (1887).

* v
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Elections in Delaware

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See also: Political party strength in Delaware
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