The 1847 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on September 7, 1847, and resulted in the reelection of Whig Party candidate Horace Eaton to another one-year term as governor, his second.
In the election for governor, Eaton, who had succeeded from lieutenant governor in 1846, was elected to his second one-year term, defeating Democrat Paul Dillingham, Free SoilerLawrence Brainerd, and Know Nothing Reuben C. Benton.[1]
In the lieutenant governor's election, Whig Leonard Sargeant was elected to a second one-year term with 46.5% of the vote to Democrat Charles K. Field's 39.0%, and Free Soil Party Jacob Scott's 14.3%, with a handful of votes cast for write-in candidates.[2]
For treasurer, Whig George Howes received 46.4%, Democratic nominee received Jeremiah T. Marston 39.1%, and Free Soil nominee Zenas Wood had 14.3%, with a few ballots cast for write-ins.[3]
Because none of the candidates received the popular vote majority required by the Vermont Constitution, the contests were formally decided by the Vermont General Assembly.[4] In the October 14 vote, 229 representatives and senators took part, so 115 votes were required to win.[4] Eaton, Sargeant, and Howes were all elected on the first ballot.[4] Eaton received 125 votes, Sargeant 124, and Howes 124.[4]
