1904 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

The 1904 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1904. Incumbent Republican Governor John L. Bates ran for a third term, but was defeated by Democratic nominee William L. Douglas. Despite Douglas’s wide victory, Republican Theodore Roosevelt won the state in a landslide in the concurrent presidential election.

1904 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

November 8, 1904

Nominee William L. Douglas John L. Bates Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 234,670 198,681 Percentage 52.14% 44.14%

Douglas:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80% Bates:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Tie:      40-50%

Governor before election John L. Bates Republican Elected Governor William L. Douglas Democratic

General election

Candidates

• John Quincy Adams (Socialist)
• John L. Bates, incumbent governor since 1903 (Republican)
• Michael T. Berry (Socialist Labor)
• Oliver W. Cobb (Prohibition)
• William L. Douglas, Brockton shoe manufacturer and former state representative (Democratic)

Results

1904 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	William L. Douglas	234,670	52.14%	10.85
	Republican	John L. Bates (incumbent)	198,681	44.14%	6.22
	Socialist	John Quincy Adams	11,591	2.58%	3.79
	Prohibition	Oliver W. Cobb	3,156	0.70%	0.13
	Socialist Labor	Michael T. Berry	2,002	0.45%	0.y70
	Write-in	All others	7	0.00%
Total votes			396,479	100.00%

See also

• 1904 Massachusetts legislature

Bibliography

• Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (1910). Election Statistics, 1904. Boston, MA: Wright & Potter Printing Co., State Printers.