The 1886 Connecticut gubernatorial election was held on November 2, 1886. Republican nominee Phineas C. Lounsbury defeated Democratic nominee Edward S. Cleveland, who received 46.18% of the vote, despite Cleveland winning the popular vote with 47.73%. As a result, the Republican-controlled Connecticut General Assembly had to vote for the second consecutive time to elect a governor; The law at the time specified that if no candidate received a majority, the state legislature would decide the election.
General election
Candidates Major party candidates Phineas C. Lounsbury, Republican Edward S. Cleveland, Democratic
Other candidates Samuel B. Forbes, Prohibition Herbert Baker, Labor
Results
References