Biggest governor landslides in Massachusetts
The biggest landslide in a Massachusetts governor’s race was in 1790, a margin of 75.2 points. John Hancock beat James Bowdoin, 14,360 to 1,880. Next widest are 1828 (68.6 points) and 1789 (64.5 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Massachusetts has held, special elections included, see the Massachusetts governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Massachusetts governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Massachusetts gubernatorial general election came in 1790, 75.2 points. John Hancock beat James Bowdoin, 14,360 to 1,880. Next are 1828 (68.6 points) and 1789 (64.5 points).
Why do some huge wins not appear?
A blowout only counts here when somebody real finished second, which means at least 5% of the vote. Without that rule the list fills with uncontested races and with contests where the record is simply missing the major opponent, both of which show the winner near 100%.
Does this include recalls and special elections?
No, only regular general elections for governor. The Massachusetts governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1790 | John Hancock N def. James Bowdoin N | 14,360 – 1,880 | +75.2 points |
| 2 | 1828 | Levi Lincoln Jr. A def. Marcus Morton J | 25,217 – 4,423 | +68.6 points |
| 3 | 1789 | John Hancock N def. James Bowdoin N | 17,309 – 3,457 | +64.5 points |
| 4 | 1827 | Levi Lincoln Jr. A def. William Jarvis J | 29,029 – 7,130 | +56.0 points |
| 5 | 1866 | Alexander Bullock R def. Theodore Sweetser D | 91,980 – 26,671 | +55.0 points |
| 6 | 1865 | Alexander Bullock R def. Darius Couch D | 69,912 – 21,245 | +53.3 points |
| 7 | 1829 | Levi Lincoln Jr. R def. Marcus Morton D | 25,217 – 6,864 | +52.1 points |
| 8 | 1826 | Levi Lincoln Jr. D def. Samuel Hubbard F | 27,884 – 9,044 | +46.0 points |
| 9 | 1864 | John Albion Andrew R def. Henry W. Paine D | 125,291 – 49,190 | +43.6 points |
| 10 | 1994 | Bill Weld R def. Mark Roosevelt D | 1,533,390 – 611,650 | +42.6 points |
| 11 | 1854 | Henry J. Gardner K def. Emory Washburn W | 81,503 – 27,279 | +41.6 points |
| 12 | 1863 | John Albion Andrew R def. Henry W. Paine D | 70,483 – 29,207 | +41.4 points |
| 13 | 1860 | John Albion Andrew R def. Erasmus Beach D | 104,527 – 35,191 | +40.9 points |
| 14 | 1896 | Roger Wolcott R def. George Fred Williams D | 258,204 – 103,662 | +40.1 points |
| 15 | 1872 | William B. Washburn R def. Francis W Bird R | 133,900 – 59,626 | +38.3 points |
| 16 | 1986 | Michael Dukakis D def. George Kariotis R | 1,157,786 – 525,364 | +37.6 points |
| 17 | 1920 | Channing H. Cox R def. John Jackson Walsh D | 643,869 – 290,350 | +36.8 points |
| 18 | 1803 | Caleb Strong F def. Elbridge Gerry D | 30,619 – 14,247 | +36.3 points |
| 19 | 1861 | John Albion Andrew R def. Isaac Davis D | 65,261 – 31,264 | +35.2 points |
| 20 | 1868 | William Claflin R def. John Quincy Adams II D | 132,121 – 63,266 | +35.2 points |
| 21 | 1830 | Levi Lincoln Jr. R def. Marcus Morton D | 30,908 – 14,440 | +34.9 points |
| 22 | 2018 | Charlie Baker R def. Jay Gonzalez D | 1,781,341 – 885,770 | +33.5 points |
| 23 | 1856 | Henry J. Gardner K def. Erasmus Beach D | 92,467 – 40,082 | +33.4 points |
| 24 | 1834 | John E. Davis W def. Marcus Morton D | 43,757 – 18,683 | +33.3 points |
| 25 | 1897 | Roger Wolcott R def. George Fred Williams D | 165,095 – 79,552 | +32.5 points |