Supreme Court Chief Justice, 1888 Election

General

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Date: November 6, 1888
Cycle: 1888
Office: Supreme Court Chief Justice
State: Minnesota
District: Statewide
Candidate Gender Party Votes Percent Margin
James Gilfillan Incumbent Man Nonpartisan 144,962 57.62 +15.57
Seagrave Smith Man Nonpartisan 105,795 42.06
F.L. Claffey Man Nonpartisan 735 0.29

After the 1888 cycle, partisan elections began for the office of the Supreme Court - lasting through 1910.

Chief Justice Gilfillan was reelected.

Smith was a Minneapolis City Attorney, former Connecticut state Senator, former Dakota County Judge of Probate (1861-1866), former Minnesota state Senator (SD 07, 1868-1870), former Dakota County Atorney, eventual Fourth Judicial District judge (1889-1898), and candidate for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1894. Smith was endorsed by the Democratic Party.

Claffey was endorsed by the Prohibition Party.

Sources

  • The Saint Paul Daily Globe, December 21, 1888 (p. 2).