In the Connecticut gubernatorial election, James English secured the seat for the Democratic Party, taking it from the Republicans who had held the governor's mansion since 1857. English's victory was a narrow one; he garnered 50,52% of the vote while his opponent, sitting governor Joseph R. Hawley, received 49.48%, for a margin of 978 votes. James English had gained fame whilst in the U.S. Congress when he had cast a vital Democrat affirmative vote for the Thirteenth Amendment. He served two terms as Connecticut governor. (By John Osborne)