1870 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

← 1869 November 8, 1870 (1870-11-08) 1871 →

Nominee William Claflin John Quincy Adams II Wendell Phillips Party Republican Democratic Labor Reform Popular vote 79,549 48,680 21,946 Percentage 52.90% 32.37% 14.59%

Governor before election William Clafin Republican Elected Governor William Clafin Republican

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v t e

The 1870 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 8.

Governor William Clafin was re-elected to a third consecutive one-year term, defeating Democrat John Quincy Adams II and abolitionist attorney Wendell Phillips, running on the Labor Reform ticket.

In the concurrent but separate election for Lieutenant Governor, Republican Joseph Tucker was also re-elected to a third term.

General election

Candidates

• John Quincy Adams II, former State Representative from Quincy and nominee for Governor in 1868 and 1869
• William Claflin, incumbent Governor since 1869 (Republican)
• Wendell Phillips, abolitionist and activist (Labor Reform)

Results

1870 Massachusetts gubernatorial election^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William Claflin (incumbent)	79,549	52.90%	0.60
	Democratic	John Quincy Adams II	48,680	32.37%	4.26
	Labor Reform	Wendell Phillips	21,946	14.59%	4.79
	Write-in		206	0.14%	0.07
	Republican hold		Swing