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.

Elections

Date Office Stage Winners Details
11/07/1871 State House, District 10 General Thomas B. Lindsay (Republican) won with 1,027 votes (25.87%) and a winning margin of +1.23
Richard A. (R.A.) Jones (Democrat) won with 993 votes (25.01%) and a winning margin of +0.38
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Thomas B. Lindsay Man Republican 1,027 25.87
Richard A. (R.A.) Jones Incumbent Man Democrat 993 25.01
Hector Galloway Man Democrat 978 24.63
George Holmes Man Republican 972 24.48

Galloway was a physician from Rochester and former state Senator (SD 08, 1859-1861).

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11/07/1871 State House, District 15 General James A. (J.A.) Thompson (Republican) won with 362 votes (52.46%) and a winning margin of +4.93
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
James A. (J.A.) Thompson Man Republican 362 52.46
Andrew J. (A.J.) Fowler Incumbent Man Democrat 328 47.54

Thompson was a resident of West Albany.

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11/07/1871 State House, District 15 General John Van Dyke (Republican) won with 455 votes (62.50%) and a winning margin of +25.00
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
John Van Dyke Man Republican 455 62.50
Amasa T. (A.T.) Sharpe Man Democrat 273 37.50

Van Dyke was an attorney from Wabasha.

Sharpe was editor of the Wabasha Herald.

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11/07/1871 State House, District 15 General George Bryant (Republican) won with 431 votes (64.14%) and a winning margin of +28.27
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
George Bryant Man Republican 431 64.14
T. McDonough Man Democrat 241 35.86

Bryant was a resident of Elgin.

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11/07/1871 State House, District 09 General Peter Fenton (Democrat) won with 739 votes (26.72%) and a winning margin of +2.06
Arthur H. Gaskill (Republican) won with 718 votes (25.96%) and a winning margin of +1.30
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent
Peter Fenton Man Democrat 739 26.72
Arthur H. Gaskill Man Republican 718 25.96
William Freeman Man Democrat 682 24.66
William Somerville Incumbent Man Republican 627 22.67

Fenton was a resident of Viola.

Freeman was a resident of High Forest.

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