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 County results Fenton: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The1866 New York gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1866. Incumbent GovernorReuben Fenton was re-elected to a second term in office over Conservative Union candidateJohn T. Hoffman.
The Conservative Union state convention met from September 10 to 12 at Tweddle Hall inAlbany. The convention was called by members of the Democratic Party with the intention of welcomingWar Democrats, who had joined theNational Union Party in 1864, back into the fold. They were joined by conservative Republicans who supported theAndrew Johnson administration and opposed the re-election of Governor Fenton, includingThurlow Weed.[1]
Ahead of the convention, the nomination was expected to come down to New York City mayorJohn T. Hoffman andJohn Adams Dix, with Dix rising among the delegates on the eve of the convention, especially outside of New York City. Brooklyn andRichmond County were expected to supportHenry C. Murphy.[1]
There was a great deal of conflict over the organization of the convention; the Democratic portion of the delegates, supporting Hoffman, sought to delay the convention to prevent Dix from receiving the nomination. With a large lobbying effort backed with $30,000 in funding, they launched acrid criticisms of Dix, including his war record, for which they singled out his arrests and internment of Democratic dissenters.[2] Motions to delay proceedings passed with the support of Hoffman and Murphy supporters in both the morning and evening sessions on September 10. The afternoon adjournment was controversial, as temporary chairmanSanford E. Church declared adjournment despite overwhelming votes against the motion.[2]
Following the adjournment, Hoffman appeared to regain the momentum, with a number of Dix supporters in the Democratic Party defecting to Hoffman.[2] As the second day proceeded, momentum for Hoffman appeared to trend toward his unanimous nomination, with the Republicans receiving the nomination for Lietuenant Governor as consolation.[2]
On September 12, Hoffman was formally placed in nomination, and RepublicanEdwards Pierrepont withdrew Dix's name from consideration, endorsing Hoffman.Francis Kernan moved for nomination by acclamation, which carried enthusiastically.Robert H. Pruyn was nominated by a two-thirds vote for Lieutenant Governor.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Reuben Fenton | 366,315 | 50.96% |  0.39 | |
| Conservative Union | John T. Hoffman | 352,526 | 49.04% |  0.39 | |
| Total votes | 718,841 | 100.00% | |||
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