The1861 Vermont gubernatorial election forgovernor of Vermont was held on Tuesday, September 3.[1] In keeping with the "Mountain Rule", incumbent RepublicanErastus Fairbanks, who had also served as governor from 1852 to 1853, was not a candidate for a third one-year term.[2][3] The Republican nominee wasFrederick Holbrook, a former member of theVermont Senate.[2] With the Democratic Party split nationally over the response to theAmerican Civil War,Andrew Tracy, a former member of theUnited States House of Representatives, was nominated by the People's Union Convention, which drew support fromWar Democrats and conservative Republicans.[4] Benjamin H. Smalley ran as a Peace Democrat, representing Democrats who favored a compromise with the states that had formed theConfederacy.[5]
Vermont continued to oppose slavery and support theUnion, which was reflected in its support of Republican candidates.[2] Holbrook easily defeated both Democrats and won a one-year term that began on October 15.[2][6] Illness confined Holbrook at home for most of October,[7] and he delayed traveling toMontpelier to take his oath of office until October 22.[8]
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