The 1853 Maine gubernatorial election was held on 12 September 1853 in order to elect the Governor of Maine. Incumbent Whig Governor William G. Crosby defeated Democratic nominee Albert Pillsbury, Anti-Maine Law nominee Anson Morrill and Free Soil Party nominee and former member of the Maine Senate Ezekiel Holmes. However, as no candidate received a majority of the total votes cast as was required by Maine law, the election was forwarded to the Maine legislature, who chose Crosby as governor, despite the fact he only came in second in the popular vote.[1]
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General election
On election day, 12 September 1853, incumbent Whig governor William G. Crosby won the election despite losing the popular vote by a margin of 9,325 votes against his foremost opponent Democratic nominee Albert Pillsbury, thereby retaining Whig control over the office of governor. Crosby was sworn in for his second term on 3 January 1854.[2]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whig | William G. Crosby (incumbent) | 27,061 | 32.36 | |
| Democratic | Albert Pillsbury | 36,386 | 43.51 | |
| Anti-Maine Law | Anson Morrill | 11,027 | 13.19 | |
| Free Soil | Ezekiel Holmes | 8,996 | 10.76 | |
| Scattering | 157 | 0.18 | ||
| Total votes | 83,627 | 100.00 | ||
| Whig hold | ||||