Governor, 1888 Election

General

Date: November 6, 1888
Cycle: 1888
Office: Governor
State: Minnesota
District: Statewide
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent Margin
William R. (W.R.) Merriam Man Republican 134,355 51.26 +9.20
Eugene M. (E.M.) Wilson Man Democrat 110,251 42.07
Hugh Harrison Man Prohibition 17,026 6.50
Jabez (J.H.) Paul Man Union Labor 385 0.15

This marked the 15th consecutive gubernatorial win in Minnesota for the GOP.

Merriam was a banker from St. Paul and state Representative (HD 27, 1883-1885; HD 26, 1887-1889).

Wilson was an attorney and former U.S. Representative (CD 02, 1869-1871), Mayor of Minneapolis (1872-1873, 1874-1875), state Senator (SD 27, 1879-1881), and Minneapolis Park Commission Board Member (1883-1890).

Harrison was a banker and former Republican Mayor of Minneapolis (1868-1869). His 6.5 percent stood as the best showing for a Temperance or Prohibition gubernatorial nominee in the state until 1912 when Engebret Lobeck won 9.4 percent.

Sources

  • Mower County Transcript, December 26, 1888 (pg. 3).