Biggest governor landslides in Rhode Island
The biggest landslide in a Rhode Island governor’s race was in 1874, a margin of 76.2 points. Henry Howard beat Lyman Pierce, 12,335 to 1,589. Next widest are 1850 (63.3 points) and 1855 (60.4 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Rhode Island has held, special elections included, see the Rhode Island governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Rhode Island governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Rhode Island gubernatorial general election came in 1874, 76.2 points. Henry Howard beat Lyman Pierce, 12,335 to 1,589. Next are 1850 (63.3 points) and 1855 (60.4 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 Rhode Island governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1874 | Henry Howard R def. Lyman Pierce D | 12,335 – 1,589 | +76.2 points |
| 2 | 1850 | Henry B. Anthony W def. Edward Harris F | 3,668 – 773 | +63.3 points |
| 3 | 1855 | William W. Hoppin W def. Americus V. Potter D | 11,130 – 2,729 | +60.4 points |
| 4 | 1974 | Philip Noel D def. James W. Nugent R | 252,436 – 69,224 | +57.0 points |
| 5 | 1824 | James Fenner R def. Wheeler Marion D | 2,151 – 594 | +56.5 points |
| 6 | 1982 | J. Joseph Garrahy D def. Vincent Marzullo R | 247,208 – 79,602 | +49.7 points |
| 7 | 1990 | Bruce Sundlun D def. Edward D. DiPrete R | 264,411 – 92,177 | +48.4 points |
| 8 | 1866 | Ambrose Burnside R def. Lyman Pierce D | 8,197 – 2,816 | +48.2 points |
| 9 | 1837 | John Brown Francis D def. William Peckham C | 2,716 – 946 | +47.6 points |
| 10 | 1980 | J. Joseph Garrahy D def. Buddy Cianci R | 299,174 – 106,729 | +47.4 points |
| 11 | 1873 | Henry Howard R def. Benjamin G. Chace D | 9,656 – 3,786 | +43.6 points |
| 12 | 1859 | Thomas G. Turner R def. Elisha Reynolds Potter D | 8,938 – 3,536 | +43.2 points |
| 13 | 1867 | Ambrose Burnside R def. Lyman Pierce D | 7,372 – 3,178 | +39.7 points |
| 14 | 1858 | Elisha Dyer Jr. R def. Elisha Reynolds Potter D | 7,934 – 3,572 | +37.9 points |
| 15 | 1881 | Alfred H. Littlefield R def. Horace A. Kimball D | 10,849 – 4,756 | +37.6 points |
| 16 | 1869 | Seth Padelford R def. Lyman Pierce D | 7,359 – 3,390 | +36.9 points |
| 17 | 1842 | Samuel Ward King W def. Thomas F. Carpenter D | 4,864 – 2,281 | +36.2 points |
| 18 | 1807 | James Fenner D def. Seth Wheaton F | 2,564 – 1,268 | +33.3 points |
| 19 | 1802 | Arthur Fenner D def. William Greene F | 3,802 – 1,934 | +32.6 points |
| 20 | 1986 | Edward D. DiPrete R def. Bruce Sundlun D | 208,822 – 104,504 | +32.3 points |
| 21 | 1978 | J. Joseph Garrahy D def. Lincoln Almond R | 197,386 – 96,596 | +32.1 points |
| 22 | 1920 | Emery J. San Souci R def. Edward M. Sullivan D | 109,138 – 55,963 | +31.5 points |
| 23 | 1882 | Alfred H. Littlefield R def. Horace A. Kimball D | 10,056 – 5,311 | +30.6 points |
| 24 | 1830 | James Fenner J def. Asa Messer I | 2,793 – 1,455 | +29.6 points |
| 25 | 1857 | Elisha Dyer Jr. R def. Americus V. Potter D | 9,591 – 5,323 | +28.6 points |