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1844 New Jersey gubernatorial election 
Summary
The 1844 New Jersey gubernatorial election was held on October 8, 1844. Whig nominee Charles C. Stratton defeated Democratic nominee John Renshaw Thomson with 50.94% of the vote.
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 Blue represents counties won by John Renshaw Thomson and Yellow represents counties won by Charles C. Stratton | |||||||||||||||||
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Background edit
This was the first election held under the New Jersey Constitution of 1844, which was adopted on June 29 and reformed the state government, notably establishing an independent executive branch. Before 1844, New Jersey Governors were elected by a majority of the New Jersey Legislative Council and held office as a member of that body.[1] Although the new constitution formally lifted the constitutional property requirement for suffrage, it added race and sex requirements; only white males over the age of 21 were eligible to vote in this election.[2]
General election edit
Candidates edit
- Charles C. Stratton, former U.S. Representative from Swedesboro (Whig)
- John Renshaw Thomson, businessman and delegate to the 1844 Constitutional Convention from Princeton (Democratic)
Results edit
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whig | Charles C. Stratton | 37,985 | 50.94% | |
| Democratic | John Renshaw Thomson | 36,581 | 49.06% | |
| Majority | 1,404 | 1.88% | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Whig gain from Democratic | ||||