1871 Election Cycle
In January, the state legislature elected two Republicans to the U.S. Senate: former Rochester Mayor Ozora P. (O.P.) Stearns in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Daniel Norton and appointed U.S. Senator William Windom for the full term.
In November, Republicans swept the races for Governor (Horace Austin), Lieutenant Governor (William Yale), Secretary of State (Samuel Jennison), Attorney General (Francis Cornell), and Treasurer (William Seeger). Austin, Yale, and Cornell were incumbents. Democratic nominees were not competitive this cycle losing each race by at least 16 points.
The Apportionment of 1871 increased the number of state Senate districts from 22 to 41 and the number of House districts from 47 to 106. Republicans enjoyed 29-12 and 72-34 advantages respectively for the 14th Legislature.
Associate Justices S.J.R. McMillan and J.M. Berry were reelected to the Supreme Court.