1887 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
election
The 1887 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held during January 1887. Republican incumbent Henry L. Dawes was re-elected to a third term over opposition from within his own party, led by former Governor John Davis Long.
At the time, Massachusetts elected United States senators by a majority vote of the combined houses of the Massachusetts General Court.
Background
Massachusetts had been a solidly Republican state since the start of the American Civil War. The Senate consisted of 25 Republicans and 14 Democrats, and the House consisted of 158 Republicans, 78 Democrats, and 5 independents.
Candidates
Declared
Henry L. Dawes, incumbent Senator since 1874
John Davis Long, U.S. Representative from Hingham and former Governor of Massachusetts
Declined
George D. Robinson, Governor of Massachusetts since 1884
Campaign
On January 10, Long supporters in the legislature moved for a binding Republican caucus to nominate a single candidate and coalesce the Republican vote. Dawes supporters killed the motion and instead substituted one for a non-binding conference. Without a binding caucus, the candidates would be put to the whole of the legislature, where Dawes could rely on his support among Democrats and independents.
Some considered the matter to be a conclusive victory for Dawes. However, there was a chance that Long could pick up Democratic votes in the legislature, as he had in 1883.
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