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.
Background
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. 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.
General election
Candidates
- 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
Results by county
State Legislative Results
The Whigs were able to flip both houses of the state legislature, giving Stratton a trifecta that lasted his entire term. In the General Assembly, Whigs were able to win 40 seats to the Democrats 18, a gain of 17 seats in the lower hose. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Whigs won 13 seats to the Democrats 6, a gain of 7.
References
