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1990 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

{{Short description|none}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox election

| election_name = 1990 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

| country = Massachusetts

| type = presidential

| ongoing = no

| previous_election = 1986 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

| previous_year = 1986

| next_election = 1994 Massachusetts gubernatorial election

| next_year = 1994

| turnout = 75.85% {{increase}} 18.44 {{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=8911|title=Our Campaigns - MA Governor Race - Nov 06, 1990|website=www.ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=6 August 2023}}

| election_date = November 6, 1990

| image1 = File:William F. Weld (MA) (cropped).jpg

| nominee1 = Bill Weld

| party1 = Republican Party (United States)

| running_mate1 =Paul Cellucci

| popular_vote1 = 1,175,817

| percentage1 = 50.19%

| image2 = File:John Silber (6789866467).jpg

| nominee2 = John Silber

| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)

| running_mate2 =Marjorie Clapprood

| popular_vote2 = 1,099,878

| percentage2 = 46.94%

| map_image = {{switcher

|300px

|County results

|File:1990 Massachusetts Gubernatorial Election by Municipality.svg

|Municipality results

|default=1

}}

| map_size = 250px

| map_caption = Weld: {{legend0|#ffb2b2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#e27f7f|50–60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60–70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70–80%}}
Silber: {{legend0|#a5b0ff|40–50%}} {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}} {{legend0|#6674de|60–70%}} {{legend0|#584cde|70–80%}}

| title = Governor

| before_election = Michael Dukakis

| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)

| after_election = Bill Weld

| after_party = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{ElectionsMA}}

The 1990 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Democratic governor Michael Dukakis, his party's nominee for president in 1988, opted to not seek a fourth term. Republican Bill Weld won the open seat, beating Democrat John Silber to become the first Republican governor of Massachusetts elected since 1970. This was the first open-seat gubernatorial election in Massachusetts since 1960.

Democratic primary

=Governor=

==Candidates==

===Eliminated at convention===

===Withdrew===

===Declined===

  • Michael Dukakis, incumbent governor since 1983{{Cite news |date=1989-01-03 |title=Dukakis won't seek re-election in 1990 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/transcript-telegram-dukakis-wont-seek-r/146146291/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |work=Transcript-Telegram |pages=1 |agency=Associated Press}}
  • Raymond Flynn, mayor of Boston{{cite news|last=Howe|first=Peter J.|title=Flynn's Move to Skip Governor's Race Creates a Political Logjam in Boston|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61386005.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121757/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61386005.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|access-date=21 April 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=January 7, 1989}}

==Campaign==

After Flynn's decision not to run, Murphy was the early frontrunner due to her strong name recognition and a solid base of liberal support. In July 1989, she led Bellotti 42% to 18% in a Boston Globe poll. That November, Bellotti had come within 2% of Murphy in another Boston Globe poll.

In January, Silber entered the race and Bellotti ran his first wave of television ads. By this point, Bellotti had taken the lead in the race, polling 38% to Murphy's 20% and Silber's 16%.

The Democratic Convention was held on June 2, 1990, at the Springfield Civic Center. On the first ballot, Bellotti received 42.9% of the vote, Murphy received 37%, Silber received 15.5%, and Flood received 4.5%. Silber's 15.5% gave him enough votes to remain on the ballot. On the second ballot, Bellotti won the convention with 51%, Murphy received 40%, and Flood received 8.5%. Flood was not able to stay on the ballot as he did not receive the necessary 15%.{{cite news|title=Massachusetts Dems pick Bellotti for governor at picketed session|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0XUcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6874,392043&dq|access-date=21 April 2011 |newspaper=Associated Press|date=June 3, 1990}}

Murphy's campaign appeared to be badly hurt by the public perception that she was close to the unpopular Dukakis and therefore tried to make a break with the Dukakis Administration.{{cite news |last=Butterfield |first=Fox |title=Dukakis Accuses No. 2 of Plotting a Coup|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/07/us/dukakis-accuses-no-2-of-plotting-a-coup.html |access-date=December 20, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 7, 1990}} Dukakis twice postponed a trade mission to Europe because Murphy hinted at a news conference that she would execute her own economic plan while serving as acting governor. After the incident, Murphy's unfavorable rating rose to 49% in a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV poll, compared to 38% a month earlier.{{cite news|last=Wilkie|first=Curtis|title=Murphy Quits Race, Backs Bellotti|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=September 11, 1990}}

A week before the primary, Evelyn Murphy dropped out of the race and threw her support to Bellotti.{{cite news |author=Fox Butterfield |title=Dukakis Antagonist Abandons Primary Race |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/11/us/dukakis-antagonist-abandons-primary-race.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 11, 1990 |access-date=2010-06-18}}

==Results==

Despite having Murphy's support and as high as a 15-point lead in the polls at one point during the campaign, Bellotti was upset by Silber, a political outsider who had run a provocative campaign filled with controversial statements known as "Silber Shockers".{{cite news |author=Fox Butterfield |title=Silber Wins Democratic Contest in Massachusetts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/19/us/silber-wins-democratic-contest-in-massachusetts.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 19, 1990 |access-date=2010-06-18}}

File:Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial primary results by municipality, 1990.svg

{{Election box begin no change

| title=Massachusetts Democratic gubernatorial primary, 1990}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = John Silber

|votes = 562,222

|percentage = 53.47%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Francis X. Bellotti

|votes = 459,128

|percentage = 43.67%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Evelyn Murphy (withdrawn)

|votes = 30,054

|percentage = 2.86%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 1,051,404

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

=Lieutenant governor=

==Candidates==

===Declined===

  • Evelyn Murphy, incumbent lieutenant governor (to run for governor)

==Results==

Clapprood easily won the nomination, defeating her nearest opponent by over 22%.

{{Election box begin no change

| title=Massachusetts Democratic Lt. gubernatorial primary, 1990}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Marjorie Clapprood

|votes = 498,241

|percentage = 52.02%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = William B. Golden

|votes = 283,719

|percentage = 29.62%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Nicholas Paleologos

|votes = 175,558

|percentage = 18.33%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 957,518

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

Republican primary

=Governor=

==Candidates==

===Eliminated at convention===

===Withdrew===

===Declined===

  • Paul Cellucci, state senator from Hudson (to run for lieutenant governor){{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Frank|title=Cellucci, Weld Join Forces|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61526499.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121846/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61526499.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|access-date=20 April 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=September 30, 1989}}
  • Edward J. King, former governor{{cite news|last=Lehigh|first=Scot|title=War Chest is Started and 'King '90' Buttons Ordered|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61530666.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121809/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61530666.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|access-date=20 April 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=October 13, 1989}}{{cite news|last=Lehigh|first=Scot|title=Some Say Sununu's Push for a King Candidacy Could Backfire|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61526517.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121821/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61526517.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|access-date=20 April 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=September 30, 1989}}{{cite news|last=Lehigh|first=Scot|title=King Announces He Will Not Run for Governor|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61532357.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121835/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61532357.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|access-date=21 April 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=October 17, 1989}}

==Campaign==

At the Republican Convention, Pierce received 2,672 votes (52.6%), Weld received 1,845 (36.3%), and Cronin received 563 (11.1%).{{cite news|last=Weitzman|first=Erik M.|title=GOP Takes Center Ring at Convention Circus|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1990/3/13/gop-takes-center-ring-at-convention/|access-date=21 April 2011|newspaper=The Harvard Crimson|date=March 13, 1990}} Cronin was not able to run in the primary because he did not receive the 15% necessary to make the ballot.{{cite news|last=Wilson|first=David B.|title=Something is Awry in 15-Percent Rule|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61606531.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121859/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61606531.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|access-date=21 April 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=March 25, 1990}} Pierce received enough votes to have a "supermajority", which made Pierce the officially endorsed candidate of the Republican Party.

During the campaign, Weld attacked Pierce's anti-abortion stance while Pierce claimed that Weld had changed his position on abortion.{{cite news|last=Lehigh|first=Scot|title=Weld, Pierce Trade Barbs Over Abortion Positions|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61554382.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121910/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61554382.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|access-date=20 April 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=December 16, 1989}} Pierce also touted his ability to win a House seat in a Democratic district, while Weld had lost to the Democratic front-runner for governor Francis Bellotti in the 1978 attorney general's race.{{cite news|last=Turner|first=Robert L.|title=An L-Word That Worries Some Republicans|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61554382.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106121910/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/61554382.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|access-date=20 April 2011|newspaper=Boston Globe|date=March 8, 1990}}

==Results==

Despite losing the convention and trailing Pierce in the polls, Weld was able to come from behind, and defeated Pierce in the Republican primary.

File:Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial primary results by municipality, 1990.svg

{{Election box begin no change

| title=Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial primary, 1990}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Bill Weld

|votes = 270,319

|percentage = 60.56%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Steven Pierce

|votes = 176,070

|percentage = 39.44%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 446,389

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

=Lieutenant governor=

==Candidates==

==Results==

State Senator Paul Cellucci, Weld's running mate, defeated State Representative Peter G. Torkildsen, Pierce's running mate, for the Republican nomination.

{{Election box begin no change

| title=Massachusetts Republican Lt. gubernatorial election, 1990}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Paul Cellucci

|votes = 241,354

|percentage = 59.41%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Peter G. Torkildsen

|votes = 164,732

|percentage = 40.55%

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 406,086

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

General election

=Debates=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+ 1990 Massachusetts gubernatorial election debates

scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}}

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Host

! scope="col" | Moderator

! scope="col" | Link

! scope="col"| Republican

! scope="col"| Democratic

colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Key:
{{Colors|black|#90ff90| P }} Participant  {{Colors|black|#FFFFDD| A }} Absent  {{Colors|black|#ff9090| N }} Not invited  {{Colors|black|#CCFFCC| I }} Invited {{color box|#f0e68c|W}} Withdrawn

! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Republican Party (US)}}"|

! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}}"|

scope="col" | Bill Weld

! scope="col" | John Silber

1

| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Oct. 18, 1990

| style="white-space:nowrap;" |

| style="white-space:nowrap;" |

| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/video/?14660-1/massachusetts-gubernatorial-debate C-SPAN]

| {{Yes|P}}

| {{Yes|P}}

2

| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Oct. 30, 1990

| style="white-space:nowrap;" | Boston Herald
WCVB-TV
WHDH (TV)

| style="white-space:nowrap;" | R.D. Sahl

| style="white-space:nowrap;" | [https://www.c-span.org/video/?14753-1/massachusetts-gubernatorial-debate C-SPAN]

| {{Yes|P}}

| {{Yes|P}}

=Candidates=

  • John Silber, President of Boston University (Democratic)
  • Leonard Umina, software executive (Independent High Tech)
  • Bill Weld, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and U.S. Assistant Attorney General (Republican)

Leonard Umina, a 38-year old computer executive, ran under the Independent High Tech Party banner. This party, of which Umina was a founding member, campaigned on a platform of establishing an independent state agency that would store all government documents on a publicly-accessible mainframe to ensure government accountability and transparency. On economic issues, the High Tech Party refuted the economic policies of the Reagan years and advocated the funneling of money to the poor. Four other candidates ran under the Independent High Tech label for statewide offices in 1990.{{cite news |author= Anzovin, Steven |title=Online freedom |url=https://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue128/46_Online_freedom.php |work=Compute! |date=April 1991 |access-date=2019-11-18 }}{{cite news |author= Mann, Michael P. |title=The Ones With the Vision |url=https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1990/11/5/the-ones-with-the-vision-pbtbwo/ |work=The Harvard Crimson |date=November 5, 1990 |access-date=2019-11-19 }}

At least two other candidates ran for governor. Dorothy L. Stevens, a single mother, ran as a write-in candidate after withdrawing from a campaign for the Democratic nomination. Her platform included a $10 minimum wage and an expansion of welfare benefits. Mark A. Emanation was the candidate of the Socialist Workers Party.

=Campaign=

Silber's lead in the polls vanished after his outburst in an interview with WCVB-TV's Natalie Jacobson.{{cite news |first=Dick |last=Lehr |title=Split screen |url=http://graphics.boston.com/globe/magazine/1-28/featurestory1.shtml |work=Boston Globe |date=2001-01-28 }}{{cite news|author=Kimmel, Daniel M|title=Natalie Jacobson wears many hats|newspaper=Telegram & Gazette|date=June 28, 1996}}{{cite news |first=Johnny |last=Diaz |title=After 35 years, Jacobson set to retire |url=http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/07/11/after_35_years_jacobson_set_to_retire/ |work=Boston Globe |date=2007-07-11 }}{{cite news|last=Diaz|first=Johnny|title=Refocused: A year after leaving Channel 5, Natalie Jacobson talks candidly about her life - and about the state of television news|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=November 11, 2008}} His blunt personality and controversial comments led many Democrats to vote for Weld.{{cite news |title=THE 1990 ELECTIONS: STATE BY STATE; Northeast |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/08/us/the-1990-elections-state-by-state-northeast.html?pagewanted=2 |work=The New York Times |date=November 8, 1990 |access-date=2010-06-18 }}

File:Bush Contact Sheet P17091 (cropped).jpg in Mashpee.]]

=Results=

Bill Weld defeated John Silber to become the state's first Republican governor since Francis W. Sargent.

As of 2018, this is the most recent gubernatorial election in which Amherst, Cambridge, Leverett, Shutesbury and Wendell each voted for the Republican candidate.

{{Election box begin

| title=1990 Massachusetts gubernatorial election{{cite news |author= Massachusetts Secretary of State |title= 1990 Gubernatorial Election Results |url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/search/year_from:1990/year_to:1990/office_id:3 |work= Massachusetts Secretary of State |access-date=2019-11-19 }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

| party=Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Weld

| votes = 1,175,817

| percentage = 50.19%

| change = {{increase}}20.63

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

| party=Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = John Silber

| votes = 1,099,878

| percentage = 46.94%

| change = {{decrease}}18.21

}}

{{Election box candidate

|party = Ind. High Tech

|candidate = Leonard Umina

|votes = 62,703

|percentage = 2.68%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent

|candidate = Dorothy Stevens (write-in)

|votes = 872

|percentage = 0.04%

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 2,339,270

|percentage = 100.00%

}}

{{Election box end}}

=Results by county=

class="wikitable sortable"

! colspan="8" | 1990 United States gubernatorial election in Massachusetts (by county) {{Cite web|url=https://electionstats.state.ma.us/elections/search/year_from:1972/year_to:2020/office_id:1/stage:General|title=PD43+ » Search Elections|website=PD43+|accessdate=6 August 2023}}

County

! Weld - R %

! Weld - R #

! Silber - D %

! Silber - D #

! Others %

! Others #

! Total #

{{Party shading/Republican}}|Barnstable54.3%50,91140.0%37,4745.8%5,39893,783
{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Berkshire43.9%23,56246.5%24,9539.7%5,19953,714
{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Bristol39.1%71,42053.1%97,0467.7%14,136182,602
{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Dukes42.7%2,55945.4%2,72011.9%7155,994
{{Party shading/Republican}}|Essex50.6%144,58344.0%125,7345.4%15,342285,659
{{Party shading/Republican}}|Franklin50.5%15,10139.5%11,82210.0%2,99529,918
{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Hampden44.2%67,36048.1%73,3567.7%11,691152,407
{{Party shading/Republican}}|Hampshire46.5%26,62641.1%23,49512.4%7,11357,234
{{Party shading/Republican}}|Middlesex52.1%320,18842.2%259,0595.7%34,901614,148
{{Party shading/Republican}}|Nantucket52.1%1,46641.4%1,1666.5%1842,816
{{Party shading/Republican}}|Norfolk50.4%149,52144.5%132,1415.0%14,953296,615
{{Party shading/Republican}}|Plymouth51.7%94,13743.4%79,0394.9%8,952182,128
{{Party shading/Democratic}}|Suffolk39.7%77,11952.7%102,3927.6%14,810194,321
{{Party shading/Republican}}|Worcester47.9%130,26447.6%129,4814.5%12,342272,087

See also

References

{{reflist|2}}

{{1990 United States elections}}

{{Massachusetts Elections}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1990 Massachusetts Gubernatorial Election}}

Category:Massachusetts gubernatorial elections

Gubernatorial

Massachusetts

Category:Bill Weld