The Election of 1892 in North Dakota

The early political history of North Dakota includes a strong loyalty to the Republican Party. Yet, the election in 1892 recorded a defeat \ of the Republican candidates. An attempt was made in this thesis to determine the cause of this unusual occurrence. The state's political events, conventions, campaign, and election were traced through North Dakota's newspapers and other sources. A brief survey was also made of the presidential campaign and election and its connection to the North Dakota election. Several years of economic discontent had already reduced Republican election majorities. Third party movement, an outgrowth of the Farmers' Alliance, had become stronger each year and had finally organized a full slate of candidates . This Independent Party ticket was also endorsed by the Democrats. The Republicans, taking little note of the state's dissatisfied atmosphere, renominated Governor Andrew Burke. This enabled the fusion candidates to place special emphasis on the inadequate farm measures of the past administration and a need for farmer- owned terminal elevators . The entire fusion ticket except secretary of state was successful. The Republicans, however, won a majority of both legislative houses and elected its candidate for Congress. The electoral vote split three ways, with Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, and James Weaver each getting one vote. The Independent success can be attributed to economic discontentment, Republican miscalculations, effective support in the Alliance strongholds, and fusion with the Democrats. This combination caused the remarkable election year in North Dakota—1892 .