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County results Hoffman: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Griswold: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The1868 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1868. Incumbent GovernorReuben Fenton did not run for re-election to a third term. Mayor of New York CityJohn T. Hoffman won the election over RepublicanJohn Augustus Griswold. As of 2025, this is the most recent time any mayor ofNew York City was elected Governor of New York or any higher office.
The Republican state convention met on July 8. Early in the proceedings, the convention resolved to amend the system of delegate apportionment to award delegates to Assembly districts on the basis of the Republican vote; this had the immediate effect of reducing the power ofNew York City, which was predominantly Democratic, in future conventions.[1]
An informal ballot showed Griswold with a majority of the delegates, and his nomination was ratified unanimously.[1]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John A. Griswold | 247 | 65.34% | |
| Republican | Horace Greeley | 95 | 25.13% | |
| Republican | Stewart L. Woodford | 36 | 9.52% | |
| Total votes | 378 | 100.00% | ||
The Democratic state convention met on September 2 and 3 at Tweddle Hall inAlbany. John T. Hoffman was nominated by acclamation afterHenry C. Murphy, leader of theBrooklyn Democratic Party, declined to be a candidate citing "contrariety of opinion... rendering my nomination at least doubtful, and calculated to engender bad feelings in the party."[2] Hoffman's nomination was a demonstration of growing strength forTammany Hall; however, Tammany was defeated on the ballot for Lieutenant Governor, when the forces ofHenry C. Murphy ofBrooklyn joined with the county parties to Allen C. Beach over Tammany candidate Albert P. Lanning.[2]
A separate German convention also met on September 2 at Schreiber's Hotel in Albany, endorsing Hoffman.[2]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John T. Hoffman | 439,301 | 51.64% | ||
| Republican | John Augustus Griswold | 411,355 | 48.36% | ||
| Total votes | 850,656 | 100.00% | |||