1888 Nebraska gubernatorial election

1888 Nebraska gubernatorial election

November 6, 1888

Nominee John Milton Thayer John A. McShane Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 103,983 85,420 Percentage 51.3% 42.1%

County results Thayer:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% McShane:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70% No Data/Votes:

Governor before election John Milton Thayer Republican Elected Governor John Milton Thayer Republican

The 1888 Nebraska gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1888, and featured incumbent Governor John Milton Thayer, a Republican, defeating Democratic nominee John A. McShane, Prohibition nominee George E. Bigelow, and the Union Labor nominee, former impeached Nebraska Governor David Butler, to win a second two-year term in office.

General election

Candidates

• George E. Bigelow, Prohibition candidate, husband of Belle G. Bigelow^[1][2]
• David Butler, Union Labor candidate, first Governor of Nebraska from 1867 until he was impeached in 1871^[3][4]
• John A. McShane, Democratic candidate, member of the United States House of Representatives from Nebraska's 1st congressional district
• John Milton Thayer, Republican candidate, incumbent Governor of Nebraska

Results

Nebraska gubernatorial election, 1888^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John Milton Thayer (incumbent)	103,983	51.26%
	Democratic	John A. McShane	85,420	42.11%
	Prohibition	George E. Bigelow	9,511	4.69%
	Labor	David Butler	3,941	1.94%
Total votes			202,855	100.0%
	Republican hold

See also

• 1888 Nebraska lieutenant gubernatorial election

References

1. "Bigelow's Immense Rally". The New Republic. November 1, 1888. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
2. "Prohibition Party Candidates". Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
3. "Union Labor State Ticket". The Stella Weekly Press. September 7, 1888. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
4. "Have you heard from Vermont?". Grand Island Independent. September 8, 1888. Retrieved April 24, 2023. The Labor-Union party nominated for goveenor [sic], David Butler, who as governor, was impeached and thrown out of office...
5. "The Official Count". The Western Wave. November 29, 1888. Retrieved April 22, 2023.